Mast cell density, angiogenesis, blood clotting, and prognosis in women with advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine clinical or biological associations between mast cell density, blood clotting, angiogenesis, and survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

METHODS:

Tumor tissue sections were assessed for mast cell density by staining for mast cell tryptase, blood clotting by staining of thrombosed blood vessels, and angiogenesis by CD34 expression. Chi-square, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox proportional hazard statistical analyses were used.

RESULTS:

44 women with stage III-IV ovarian cancers had tumor blocks available for immunohistochemical analysis. Higher mean vessel density (MVD) (>11 vessels/400x field) predicted for better survival than lower MVD (< or =11 vessels/400x field) (P = 0.004). Women whose tumors had low levels of peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration had a mean survival of 40.6 months compared to 50.6 months in those whose tumors had high levels (P = 0.47). Tumors with higher MVD and high peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration had a mean survival of 80.3 months compared to 37.8 months in those with low mast cell density or low MVD (P = 0.015). Patients with tumors showing a low degree of blood clotting had a mean survival of 45.5 compared to 45.1 months in those with tumors showing a high degree of blood clotting (P = 0.91). There was no significant association between angiogenesis and mast cell density (P = 0.123). In multivariate analysis, higher MVD remained as a significant prognostic factor for improved survival after adjusting for clotting and mast cell density.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data suggest that peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration in tumors with high MVD predicts for improved survival in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

• Authors: John K Chan, Alessandra Magistris, Vera Loizzi, Fritz Lin, Joanne Rutgers, Kathryn Osann, Philip J DiSaia, Michael Samoszuk
• Journal: Gynecologic oncology (Gynecol Oncol) Vol. 99 Issue 1 Pg. 20-5 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0090-8258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16055178 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Coagulation
• Cell Count
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Mast Cells (pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (blood, pathology)
• Ovarian Neoplasms (blood, blood supply, pathology)
• Prognosis