Influence of microvessel density and vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor expression on prognosis in vulvar cancer.
Microvessel density (MVD) and expression of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF), acting as a highly specific inducer of angiogenesis, were evaluated in tissue specimens of 25 patients with squamous cell cancer of the vulva. MVD was quantified by immunostaining for factor VIII-related antigen at one field of 0.25 mm2. VPF/VEGF expression was evaluated immunohistochemically using a monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody. FIGO stages I, II, and III were diagnosed in 12, 7, and 6 patients, respectively. MVD >20/field was found in 10 of 25 tumors and moderate or strong expression of VPF/VEGF in 10 of 25 tumors. High MVD was significantly more frequent in tumors with moderate or strong VPF/VEGF expression compared to tumors with no or weak VPF/VEGF expression (P = 0.01). Overall survival rates of patients with tumors of high MVD (P = 0.01) and strong VPF/VEGF expression (P < 0.01) were significantly poorer compared to those patients with low MVD or poor VPF/VEGF expression. Strong VPF/VEGF expression and high MVD are considered important parameters of tumor angiogenesis and therefore are related to poor survival probability in vulvar cancer patients.
Obermair
A
A
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria.
Kohlberger
P
P
Bancher-Todesca
D
D
Tempfer
C
C
Sliutz
G
G
Leodolter
S
S
Reinthaller
A
A
Kainz
C
C
Breitenecker
G
G
Gitsch
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry*
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors