title: Vessel density, proliferation, and immunolocalization of vascular endothelial growth factor in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare, highly vascularized neoplasm of the nasopharynx that affects boys and young men. The underlying dysregulated molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The participation of angiogenic growth factors has been suggested, but few studies have been published.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cells, and vessel density in JNA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical examination of 10 consecutive JNAs (8 primary tumors and 2 recurrent tumors).
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin-embedded and cryopreserved JNA samples were included. VEGF-, CD31-, and Ki67-specific antibodies were applied and visualized using light microscopy. Vascularization was determined by counting CD31-positive vessels. Proliferating and VEGF-expressing vessels as well as stromal cells were quantified by the same method. Patients' age at the time of surgery and tumor stage were correlated with the immunohistochemical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tumors were heavily vascularized, but major differences were noted between the samples. About half of the vessels were proliferating (Ki67 positive) and half of the Ki67-positive cells were also VEGF positive. The tumor stroma was VEGF positive in 8 of 10 samples and proliferating in 5 of these 8. The 5 samples with both VEGF- and Ki67-positive stroma showed high vessel densities. No correlation was observed between age or tumor stage and vessel density, VEGF expression, or Ki67 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In JNA, VEGF is frequently expressed by stromal cells and vessels and is associated with proliferation and increased vessel density. We suggest the promotion of vascularization by VEGF, but the involvement of androgens in JNA angiogenesis still needs to be analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mainz, Germany. brieger@mail.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brieger
authors.forename: Magorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wierzbicka
authors.forename: Maxim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sokolov
authors.forename: Yehudah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Szyfter
authors.forename: Wolf J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018322:Angiofibroma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A