Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor as a prognostic factor for radiotherapy outcome in patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and VEGF expressions of tumor cells as prognostic factors for radiotherapy outcome in patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.


METHODS
In 47 formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix which had been treated with radiation (1970-1995), PD-ECGF and VEGF expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry, and the relationships between PD-ECGF or VEGF expressions and local control or survival were assessed.


RESULTS
PD-ECGF and VEGF expressions were successfully detected in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of adenocarcinoma cells of the uterine cervix. Of the 47 patients, 44.6 (21/47 cases) and 57.4% (27/47 cases) were positive for PD-ECGF and VEGF, respectively. There was no correlation between PD-ECGF or VEGF expressions and age, grade, or histologic subtypes. Stage and high expression of PD-ECGF showed a significant correlation to local control (P = 0.0025, P = 0.0057, respectively) and were significant independent prognostic factors for 5-year survival in multivariate analysis (P = 0.0039, P = 0.0032, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that PD-ECGF expression was a significant prognostic factor for radiotherapy outcome in patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. Preradiation assessment of PD-ECGF expression may be helpful in selecting high-risk patients, providing them with opportunities to receive more sophisticated and individualized treatments.
Ryu
Sang Young
SY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, 215-4 Gongneung-Dong, Nowon-Ku, Seoul 139-706, South Korea.
Oka
Kuniyuki
K
Tsujii
Hirohiko
H
Suzuki
Yoshiyuki
Y
Nakano
Takahashi
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase