Prognostic value of von Willebrand factor, CD34, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in women with uterine leiomyosarcomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

To compare uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS) and leiomyomas (LM) with normal myometrium in terms of microvessel density (MVD), and to correlate this parameter with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical/pathological parameters.

METHODS:

An immunohistochemical technique, using antibodies against von Willebrand factor (FvW), CD34, CD31, and VEGF, was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of 32 normal myometria, 32 uterine LM, and 12 LMS. MVD was calculated by a digital image analyzer.

RESULTS:

Using anti-FvW, mean +/- SD MVD in myometrium, LM, and LMS was 107.0 +/- 53.6, 66.2 +/- 55.4, and 64.4 +/- 44.2, respectively (P = 0.001). MVD was lower in LMS (P = 0.021) and in LM (P = 0.0004) than in normal myometrium. Using anti-CD34, mean +/- SD MVD in myometrium, LM, and LMS was 187.6 +/- 91.2, 106.1 +/- 55.5, and 114.2 +/- 98.8, respectively (P = 0.001). MVD was lower in LMS (P = 0.012) and LM (P = 0.0004) than in normal myometrium. No such differences were found using anti-CD31 and anti-VEGF. No correlation was found between MVD and VEGF expression. In women with uterine LMS, low MVD (assessed with anti-FvW) correlated with recurrence (P = 0.04) and poor overall survival (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Uterine smooth muscle tumors exhibit a lower MVD than normal myometrium, as assessed using anti-FvW or anti-CD34 antibodies. A reduced MVD, as assessed by FvW staining, has prognostic value in uterine LMS.

• Authors: Christophe Poncelet, Rafaelle Fauvet, Gérard Feldmann, Francine Walker, Patrick Madelenat, Emile Darai
• Journal: Journal of surgical oncology (J Surg Oncol) Vol. 86 Issue 2 Pg. 84-90 (May 01 2004) ISSN: 0022-4790 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15112250 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD34
• Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• von Willebrand Factor

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD34 (biosynthesis)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Leiomyoma (metabolism, mortality, pathology)
• Leiomyosarcoma (metabolism, mortality, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (biosynthesis)
• Prognosis
• Survival Rate
• Uterine Neoplasms (metabolism, mortality, pathology)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (biosynthesis)
• von Willebrand Factor (biosynthesis)