title: Increased microvessel density in mucinous compared with malignant serous and benign tumours of the ovary.
abstract: Microvessel density of benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumours was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies to the endothelial cell markers CD31, CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen. Microvessel density was compared in tumours of different histological subtype, stage and patient outcome. CD31-immunostained sections were examined and regions of high and average microvessel density were selected. Identical regions were located on CD34- and factor VIII-related antigen-immunostained serial sections and microvessel counts obtained and converted to vessels mm(-2). CD31 and CD34 immunostaining revealed increased microvessel density in both the high and average vessel density regions of mucinous (222.4 +/- 24.8; 79.9 +/- 8.5) compared with serous (105.4 +/- 20.7; 33.3 +/- 6.8) and benign (84.4 +/- 19.4; 20.4 +/- 4.4) tumours (P < 0.001). CD31 and CD34 immunostaining also revealed increased microvessel density in early-stage mucinous tumours (234.6 +/- 28.2; 87.8 +/- 9.2) compared with that observed in both early- (72.8 +/- 15; 12.9 +/- 2.4) and late- (115.6 +/- 26.5; 29.8 +/- 8.5) stage serous tumours (P < 0.001). No differences in microvessel density in samples from patients with differing outcomes were observed (P > 0.05). Reduced factor VIII-related antigen compared with CD31 and CD34 immunostaining was observed in both borderline and malignant mucinous and serous tumours (P < 0.02) but not in benign tumours (P > 0.05). Our results contradict the putative association between increased microvessel density and poor prognosis and suggest that the level and control of angiogenesis may differ between ovarian tumour types.
authors.affiliation: Monash University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lotfi-Miri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mamers
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000098:blood supply*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry; D005167:Factor VII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C031500:factor VII related antigen; D005167:Factor VII