Title:Changes in the Expression Profile of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 in Different Grades of Endometrial Cancer
Volume: 20
Issue: 11
Author(s): Konrad Dziobek*, Marcin Opławski, Beniamin Oskar Grabarek, Nikola Zmarzły, Barbara Tomala, Tomasz Halski, Ewa Leśniak, Krzysztof Januszyk, Ryszard Brus, Robert Kiełbasiński and Dariusz Boroń
Affiliation:
- Center of Oncology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, Cracow Branch,Poland
Keywords:
VEGF-A/B, VEGFR-1/2, angiogenesis, endometrial cancer, tumor angiogenesis, adenomyosis.
Abstract:
Background: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are important proteins involved
in the induction and development of a new blood vessel network through which the tumor is properly
nourished and oxygenated.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1 and
VEGFR-2 expression in endometrial cancer depending on its grade and to determine the VEGFR-1 to
VEGFR-2 concentration ratio.
Methods: The study group consisted of 45 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (G1, 17; G2,
15; G3, 13). The control group included 15 patients. VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 expression
was assessed using the immunohistochemical method. Statistical analysis was carried out using
the Statistica 12 PL program (StatSoft, Cracow, Poland). It included the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's
post-hoc test (p<0.05).
Results: Statistically significant differences in the level of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2
were observed between the majority of analyzed groups (except for VEGF-B; G3 vs. G1, p=0.997700).
The expression pattern of VEGF-A, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 was as follows: G3>G2>G1>C; VEGF-B:
G2> G3> G1>C. A lower concentration of VEGFR-1 than VEGFR-2 was found regardless of the cancer
grade.
Conclusion: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 are key proteins involved in tumor angiogenesis.
The analysis of the entire panel of proteins participating in a given process is an important element
of modern diagnostics. The concentration ratio of VEGFR-1 to VEGFR-2 appears to be a determining
factor in the patients' survival prognosis.