Histopathological analysis of angiogenic factors in renal cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was carried out to clarify whether a histopathological analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) can help predict the outcome of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We examined the expression of VEGF, TGF-beta1 and MMP-2 in a large series of RCC with a long follow-up, based on histopathological factors and survival.


METHODS
Immunostaining for VEGF, TGF-beta1 and MMP-2 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 84 patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy at our institution between 1985 to 2000. The microvessel density (MVD) of tumor tissue was measured after it immunohistochemically stained with CD105 (Endoglin) monoclonal antibody.


RESULTS
A significant association was observed in the expression of VEGF and TGF-beta1 regarding the stage (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), nuclear grade (P < 0.01, P < 0.01) and MVD (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), respectively. However, no correlation was found among the results of MMP-2, nuclear grade and MVD. A multivariate analysis demonstrated both the nuclear grade and MVD to be independent prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggested that the expression of both VEGF and/or TGF-beta1 can be useful predictive prognostic factors RCC. In addition, a multivariate analysis demonstrated MVD to be an independent prognostic factor of RCC.
Yagasaki
Hiroki
H
Department of Urology, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi Kamichou, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0032, Japan. hiro-12@rc4.so-net.ne.jp
Kawata
Nozomu
N
Takimoto
Yukie
Y
Nemoto
Norimichi
N
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2