Soft tissue
tumors are rare
tumors that show a heterogeneous structure; thus far, their molecular behavior has not been elucidated. The aim of our study was to define the relationship between microvessel density (MVD), evaluated with CD31, and other immunohistochemical markers, such as
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF),
cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), CD34,
maspin, DOG-1, and c-KIT. Immunostains were done in 55 cases consisting of benign and malignant
tumors, such as
liposarcomas,
dermatofibrosarcomas, and
tumors with histiocytic differentiation. Renal tubes were used as external control for
VEGF,
maspin, and DOG-1. Although DOG-1 is considered a specific marker for gastrointestinal
tumors (GISTs), its positivity, correlated with c-KIT and
VEGF immunoexpression, was also shown by
dermatofibrosarcomas and
tumors with histiocytic and lipomatous differentiation, suggesting its possible pro-angiogenic role.
Maspin expression was observed in adipose tissue
tumors only. Regarding angiogenesis, 31 of the 55 cases were
VEGF-positive, such positivity being directly correlated with COX-2 and CD34 positivity as evaluated in the
tumor cells and also with MVD. Although no significant differences in angiogenic activity were found between benign and malignant non-lipomatous
tumors, the MVD was directly correlated with the histological type/grade of
liposarcomas. Based on these aspects, we conclude that
VEGF/COX-2-induced angiogenesis is specific for non-lipomatous
tumors, whereas
liposarcomas are dependent on the
VEGF/
maspin angiogenic pathway. The DOG-1/c-KIT/
VEGF target may be used for further personalized
therapy of
soft tissue sarcomas. No data about DOG-1 and
maspin positivity in
liposarcomas have been published to date.