Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors in Benign Vascular Lesions of the Orbit: A Case Series.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular lesions of the orbit, although not malignant, can cause morbidity because of their location near critical structures in the orbit. For the same reason, they can be challenging to remove surgically. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs are increasingly being used to treat diseases with prominent angiogenesis. Our study aimed to determine to what extent VEGF receptors and their subtypes are expressed on selected vascular lesions of the orbit.


METHODS
Retrospective case series of all orbital vascular lesions removed by one of the authors (JAG) at the Mayo Clinic.


METHODS
A total of 52 patients who underwent removal of vascular orbital lesions.


METHODS
The pathology specimens from the patients were retrieved, their pathologic diagnosis was confirmed, demographic and clinical information were gathered, and sections from vascular tumors were stained with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 3 (VEGFR3).


METHODS
The existence and pattern of staining with VEGF and its subtypes on these lesions.


RESULTS
There were 28 specimens of venous malformations, 4 capillary hemangiomas, 7 lymphatic malformations, and 6 lymphaticovenous malformations. All samples stained with VEGF, 55% stained with VEGFR1, 98% stained with VEGFR2, and 96% stained with VEGFR3. Most (94%) of the VEGFR2 staining was diffuse.


CONCLUSIONS
Most orbital vascular lesions express VEGF receptors, which may suggest a future target for nonsurgical treatment.
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: atchison.elizabeth@mayo.edu.
Elizabeth A
EA
Atchison
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
James A
JA
Garrity
Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
Francisco
F
Castillo
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Austin, Minnesota.
Steven J
SJ
Engman
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Steven M
SM
Couch
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Diva R
DR
Salomão
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009383:Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor