Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and association with microvessel density in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Tumor angiogenesis is an absolute requirement for tumor growth and a prognostic factor for various malignant neoplasms. Recent reports in the literature have addressed the importance of the VEGF system in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and adenocarcinoma, however the results are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the levels of VEGF expression and vascularity in BPH and prostate carcinoma.


METHODS
We examined 60 prostate adenocarcinomas and 64 benign prostatic hyperplasias. Angiogenesis was estimated by determining microvessel counts (MVC), with the use of anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 antibodies. Expression of VEGF was also evaluated immunohistochemically.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed that angiogenesis was more prominent in carcinomas than in BPH. Furthermore, increased MVC was significantly associated with high-grade carcinomas. Angiogenesis was correlated with VEGF expression and it was, at least in part, mediated by the latter. Thus, prostate adenocarcinoma may represent a suitable neoplasm for antiangiogenic treatment in combination with conventional therapies.
Stefanou
Dimitrios
D
Department of Pathology, University of Ioannina Medical School, 451 10, Ioannina, Greece.
Batistatou
Anna
A
Kamina
Sevasti
S
Arkoumani
Evdokia
E
Papachristou
Dionysios J
DJ
Agnantis
Niki J
NJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A