Vascular endothelial growth factor expression as a prognostic index in serous ovarian cystoadenocarcinomas: relationship with MIB1 immunostaining.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by neoplastic cells in serous ovarian cystoadenocarcinomas; the correlation between this marker of angiogenesis, histopathologic parameters, disease-free survival, and MIB1 immunostaining was also evaluated.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with serous ovarian cystoadenocarcinoma, treated at the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ancona University (Italy), were used as study population; 10 women with serous cystoadenoma were also analyzed. The expression of VEGF was immunohistochemically evaluated by polyclonal antibody anti-VEGF (Santa Cruz, CA, dilution 1:100) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.


RESULTS
Compared to cystoadenomas, the tissutal VEGF immunostaining was significantly higher in cystoadenocarcinomas, with the highest values in architectural grade 3 neoplasms (P < 0. 001). A direct relationship was observed between VEGF immunostaining and MIB1 index (r = 0.44, P = 0.013). A relationship was defined between VEGF expression and disease-free survival, evaluated by Cox hazards analysis (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Angiogenesis, evaluated by VEGF immunostaining, seems to be an interesting prognostic indicator in serous ovarian cystoadenocarcinoma, involved in neoplastic proliferation.
Garzetti
G G
GG
Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Pathology, Institute of Normal Human Morphology, University of Ancona, Via F. Corridoni 11, Ancona, 60123, Italy. garzetti@popcsi.unian.it
Ciavattini
A
A
Lucarini
G
G
Pugnaloni
A
A
De Nictolis
M
M
Amati
S
S
Romanini
C
C
Biagini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors