Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and assessment of microvascular density with CD34 as prognostic markers for endometrial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the uncontrolled proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancers. Increased microvessel density (MVD) is known to be associated with evolution and aggressiveness of the endometrial carcinoma (EC). The formation of new vessels depends on interactions between various hormones and growth factors. VEGF is one of the most known promoters of angiogenesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, we intend to evaluate the relation between MVD, the VEGF expression, and the clinicopathologic factors in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 54 patients with EC were included. MVD was assessed with anti-CD34 in most intense areas of neovascularization. A semiquantitative scoring system was used to asses the intensity and degree of staining of VEGF.

RESULTS

MVD counts of patients with G1 EC was lower than patients with G2 and G3 EC. MVD counts of patients with stage I EC was lower as compared with stage II + III patients. There was no statistically significant difference between MVD counts in lymph node-negative and positive EC patients. The positive immunoreactions for VEGF were significantly more frequent in G1 EC in comparison to the patients with G2 + G3 EC.

CONCLUSIONS

MVD and VEGF are important indicators of a poor prognosis in patients with endometrial carcinoma.