title: Vascular endothelial growth factor and KIT expression in relation with microvascular density and tumor grade in supratentorial astrocytic tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between microvascular density and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and KIT as possible markers of angiogenic stimulus in astrocytic tumors and correlate it with histopathological grading.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 99 surgical specimens of supratentorial astrocytic tumors for analysis of VEGF and KIT and subsequent correlation with MVD and grading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KIT and VEGF expression correlated with microvascular density (p<0.005) and both VEGF and microvascular density correlated with grading (p<0.005). KIT had no significant relationship with grading (p=0.657).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KIT and VEGF constitute important pathways in the angiogenesis of astrocytomas and therefore are promising prognostic tools and options for therapeutic intervention.
authors: Department of Pathology, Investigative Pathology Division, EPM, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil. thais.heinke@ig.com.br
authors: Thaís
authors: T
authors: Heinke
authors: Kleber Simões do
authors: KS
authors: Espiríto Santo
authors: Adhemar
authors: A
authors: Longatto Filho
authors: João Norberto
authors: JN
authors: Stavale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015173:Supratentorial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit