Angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer: microvessel area in needle biopsy in vascular tumor density.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through immunohistochemistry with CD34 and computerized image analysis comparing the microvessel area in needle biopsies and surgical specimens.


METHODS
Core biopsies and surgical specimens from 28 patients with NSCLC were reviewed. Microvessels were highlighted by immunohistochemistry with anti-CD34. Tumor microvessel area was measured in digital photographs from hot spots of all samples.


RESULTS
Average microvessel area among core samples was 5,093.6 microm2 (range, 233.4-17,916.8) and among surgical specimens was 3,599.3 microm2 (range, 376.9-9,514.0). There was strong correlation between overall microvascular area in biopsies and surgical specimens (r = 0.7; p = 0.0001). Mean area of core specimens was used to divide cases into groups of low and high vascular areas. A slightly stronger correlation was observed between biopsies and surgical specimens with low vascular areas (r = 0.84; p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is strong correlation of microvessel area in core biopsies and respective surgical specimens in NSCLC. These data indicate that core specimens could be used to assess the extent of angiogenesis in NSCLC in the pretreatment phase.
Department of Histopathology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester, UK. lcdi@btinternet.com
Luciane C Dreher
LC
Irion
João Carlos
JC
Prolla
Antônio A
AA
Hartmann
Klaus L
KL
Irion
Vinícius D
VD
Da Silva
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*