title: Role of VEGF-A and its receptors in sporadic and MEN2-associated pheochromocytoma.
abstract: Pheochromocytoma (PHEO), a rare catecholamine producing tumor arising from the chromaffin cells, may occurs sporadically (76%-80%) or as part of inherited syndromes (20%-24%). Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in tumor proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is the most well-characterized angiogenic factor. The role of angiogenic markers in PHEO is not fully understood; investigations were therefore made to evaluate the expression of VEGF-A and its receptors in PHEO and correlate to clinical parameters. Twenty-nine samples of PHEO were evaluated for VEGF-A, VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) VEGFR-2 expression and microvessel density (MVD) by immunohistochemistry. Clinical data were reviewed in medical records. The mean age of patients was 38±14 years, and 69% were woman. VEGF-A, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 staining were detected in nearly all PHEO samples. No significant correlation was observed between VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 expression or MVD and age at diagnosis, tumor size or sporadic and hereditary PHEO. However, the levels of expression of these molecules were significantly higher in malignant PHEO samples (p=0.027, p=0.003 and p=0.026, respectively).VEGF-A and its receptors were shown to be up-regulated in malignant PHEO, suggesting that these molecules might be considered as therapeutic targets for unresectable or metastatic tumors.
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. carlavazferreira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carla Vaz
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. rsiqueira.debora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Débora Rodrigues
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. mirianromitti@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mírian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romitti
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. lu.ceolin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucieli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ceolin
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. bmassisbrasil@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Beatriz Assis
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Brasil
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. meurerl@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meurer
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. claracapp@ig.com.br.
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capp
authors.affiliation: Thyroid Section, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. almaia@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Ana Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Maia
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000502:physiology; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000175:diagnosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C000588866:KDR protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2