Correlation of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors with microvessel density in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer malignancies have the worst prognosis among all gynecological malignancies. As angiogenesis represents a key step for tumor progression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most discussed pro-angiogenic factors. VEGF expression was investigated in 62 cases of ovarian carcinomas. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated by correlating the results with clinical and histopathological parameters. Because of the controversial results reported in other studies, VEGF was assessed together with MVD. Our results suggest a more complex angiogenic mechanism in ovarian cancer based on the discrepancies between VEGF expression, microvessel density and their correlation with clinical parameters. The conflicting data arising from this study supports the implications of different growth factors, others than VEGF in ovarian cancer. This hypothesis is sustained by the lack of correlation between VEGF and clinical parameters, and by the significant correlation between microvessel density and clinicopathological parameters. Thus, further studies are needed for a complete evaluation of angiogenesis in ovarian cancer.

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Clinicopathologic study of vascular endothelial growth factor, thrombospondin-1, and microvessel density assessed by CD34 in patients with stage III ovarian carcinoma

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1136/ijgc-00009577-200602001-00039 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 241-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Karavasilis ◽

V. Malamou-Mitsi ◽

E. Briasoulis ◽

E. Tsanou ◽

E. Kitsou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Ovarian Carcinoma ◽

Microvessel Density ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Advanced Stage ◽

Thrombospondin 1 ◽

Treatment Research ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

The aim of the study was to investigate angiogenesis in patients with advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma. We used paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 33 patients diagnosed with FIGO III ovarian cancer who had optimal surgery and received platinum-based chemotherapy. The tissue expression of CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was assessed immunohistochemically. CD34 stained hot spot areas were used to evaluate tumor microvessel density (MVD). VEGF and TSP-1 were assessed by semiquantitative methods. The studied molecules were investigated for relationship with standard clinicopathologic parameters. MVD count was high: median value of 39, range 12–143 microvessels/mm2. VEGF was present in all cases and stained strong in 91%. Stroma staining for TSP-1 was weak in 79% of the cases, strong in 6%, and absent in five (15%). We did not find correlations between the three studied markers and histologic type or tumor grade. MVD score did not relate to VEGF or TSP-1. We only observed a trend toward a longer survival in patients with tumors expressing high TSP-1 (60 vs. 36 months, P= 0.1). Proangiogenetic factor VEGF is highly expressed in advanced-stage ovarian carcinomas. The findings of this study may offer support for considering VEGF-targeted therapeutics in ovarian cancer treatment research.

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