title: First international consensus on the methodology of lymphangiogenesis quantification in solid human tumours.
abstract: The lymphatic system is the primary pathway of metastasis for most human cancers. Recent research efforts in studying lymphangiogenesis have suggested the existence of a relationship between lymphatic vessel density and patient survival. However, current methodology of lymphangiogenesis quantification is still characterised by high intra- and interobserver variability. For the amount of lymphatic vessels in a tumour to be a clinically useful parameter, a reliable quantification technique needs to be developed. With this consensus report, we therefore would like to initiate discussion on the standardisation of the immunohistochemical method for lymphangiogenesis assessment.
authors.affiliation: Translational Cancer Research Group Antwerp, Laboratory of Pathology, University of Antwerp/University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem 2650, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van der Auwera
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tille
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Dirix
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D000098853:Podoplanin
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C117468:PDPN protein, human; D000098853:Podoplanin; C467484:VEGFA protein, human