title: The density of microvessels positive for Wilms' tumour-1 protein (WT-1) is an independent predictor of recurrence risk in meningiomas.
abstract: Wilms' tumour-1 (WT-1) protein m-RNA was recently demonstrated in meningiomas, suggesting the potential application of WT-1 immunotherapy in these tumours. The aim of the present study was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of WT-1 protein, its correlation with the clinico-pathological variables and association with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, in a series of 60 meningiomas of different histotype and histological grade. None of the cases expressed WT-1 in the neoplastic cells, while endothelial expression was evidenced in a variable number of tumour vessels in all the meningiomas. The density of microvessels positive for WT-1 (WT-1 MVD) was significantly higher in meningiomas showing higher histological grade (P = 0.0191), growth fraction (P = 0.0201), expression of VEGF (P = 0.0288) and recurrence risk (P = 0.022). In addition, high WT-1 MVD was a significant independent predictive factor for a shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with completely resected meningiomas (P = 0.0028). In conclusion, this study shows that WT-1 MVD is correlated with the biological aggressiveness of meningiomas. Although no staining for WT-1 was evidenced in the neoplastic cells of these tumours, WT-1 endothelial expression in the tumour vessels might represent a target for WT-1 immunotherapy in the aim of reducing their blood supply and growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology "G. Barresi", University of Messina, Polyclinic G. Martino, via Consolare Valeria, 98125, Messina, Italy, vbarresi@unime.it.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barresi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caffo
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Branca
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vitarelli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tuccari
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D055806:Microvessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012306:Risk; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D025721:WT1 Proteins; C583751:WT1 protein, human