VEGF-C expression attributes the risk for lymphatic metastases to ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Peritoneal dissemination and retroperitoneal lymph node involvement are main routes for progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediated angiogenesis has been identified as an important mechanism promoting tumour progression.

METHODS:

Tumour tissue of 100 patients with EOC was analysed for protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, -C, -D by Western Blot analysis. Expression patterns in patients with 'extensive intraperitoneal' metastases (pT3c pN1 and pT3b-pT3c pN0, n=80) were compared to patients with 'predominantly retroperitoneal' metastases (pT1a-pT3b, pN1, n=20). Overall and progression-free survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS:

While no significant differences in expression levels among the different modes of metastases were noted for VEGF-A and -D, VEGF-C expression was significantly higher in the group of predominantly retroperitoneal metastases compared to the group with extensive intraperitoneal metastases. Patients with high VEGF-C expression had a significantly worse overall survival compared to patients with low expression levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Retroperitoneal tumour progression in EOC patients is associated with high VEGF-C expression. VEGF-C may serve as a molecular marker to identify patients with assumed high risk for lymphatic metastases, who might benefit from specific treatment strategies.

• Authors: Sascha Kuerti, Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer, Karin Milde-Langosch, Barbara Schmalfeldt, Karen Legler, Linn Woelber, Katharina Prieske, Sven Mahner, Fabian Trillsch
• Journal: Oncotarget (Oncotarget) Vol. 8 Issue 26 Pg. 43218-43227 (Jun 27 2017) ISSN: 1949-2553 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 28591727 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• VEGFC protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blotting, Western
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Humans
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Middle Aged
• Ovarian Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Risk Factors
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (biosynthesis, genetics, metabolism)