title: Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in malignant melanoma: prognostic versus diagnostic usefulness.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell mitogen, plays a role in angiogenesis and progression in malignant melanoma. VEGF expression was examined in 62 biopsy specimens of melanocytic proliferations, including 45 malignant melanomas, 3 cellular blue nevi, 12 atypical compound nevi, and 2 Spitz nevi. The cases of malignant melanoma included 11 in situ melanomas, 18 Clark Level II, 9 Clark Level III, and 7 Clark Level IV tissue samples. All of the specimens were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for VEGF was demonstrated in 19 (42%) of 45 melanoma samples, but there was no immunoreactivity for VEGF exhibited by any of the atypical compound melanocytic nevi, cellular blue nevi, or Spitz nevi (P < .009). Immunoreactivity for VEGF was found to be related to tumor thickness (as evidenced by Clark level [P < .03]) and to absence of regression (P < .04). Although VEGF is not a useful prognostic indicator for malignant melanoma, it may be useful as a discriminating factor between malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic lesions, and it may offer some insight into tumor growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Bayer-Garner
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hough
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Smoller
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009506:Nevus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors