Li G, et al. - The role of progranulin (PGRN) in the mechanism underlying lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer (EC) patients was determined. Increased levels of PGRN were associated with lymph node metastasis, high levels of lymph microvessel density (LMVD), and lymph vessel space invasion (LVSI). Hence, it was determined that PGRN plays a vital role in lymphangiogenesis through activation of VEGF-C in EC patients.