Prognostic significance of VEGF and its receptors in endometrioid endometrial cancer

Abstract

Background: Angiogenesis is of crucial importance for endometrial tumor growth and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the key mediator of angiogenesis.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the prognostic value of VEGF and its receptors in relation to endometrioid endometrial carcinomas.

Material and methods: In this study we conducted an immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF and VEGFRs expression in 84 tissue samples obtained from endometrioid endometrial cancer patients undergoing curative surgical treatment.

Results: Out of 84 cancers, strong positive expression of VEGF was seen in 35 (42%) tumors. The overall strong positive rates were 33% for VEGFR-1 and for 15% for VEGFR-2. There was a significant correlation between clinical stage and VEGF and VEGFR-1 overexpression (p=0.027 and p=0.004, respectively). Additionally there was a significant correlation between histological grade and VEGF and VEGFR-1 overexpression (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). The 5-year DFS of patients with VEGF and VEGFR-1 overexpression was significantly lower than that of those with a weakly positive or negative tumor (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF and VEGFR-1 overexpression may be a useful marker for predicting 5-year DFS in endometrioid endometrial cancer.