Angiogenesis and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase expression in cervical cancer

Int J Oncol. 1999 Jul;15(1):149-54. doi: 10.3892/ijo.15.1.149.

Abstract

The object of this study was to clarify the association of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF)/thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase), separately assessed in cancer cells and in stroma cells, with clinicopathological factors including tumor angiogenesis and prognosis in cervical cancer. The expression of PD-ECGF was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in 92 patients with stage Ib-II cervical cancer. The microvessel count was assessed by immunostaining for factor VIII-related antigen in the most neovascularized area. Microvessel count was significantly higher in tumors with non-squamous cell carcinoma. PD-ECGF expression in cancer cells was significantly higher in tumors with pelvic node metastasis and squamous cell carcinoma. Immunopositivity for PD-ECGF in stroma cells was significantly higher in tumors with large size and deep stromal invasion. The microvessel counts in cases with positive PD-ECGF expression in stroma cells were significantly higher than those in cases with negative PD-ECGF expression in stroma cells (p=0.048). Disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly worse in patients with deep stromal invasion, parametrial involvement, vaginal involvement, lymph-vascular space involvement, pelvic lymph node metastasis and high microvessel count. A multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazard model showed that high microvessel count independently predicted disease-free and overall survival. The expression of PD-ECGF in stroma cells may play a crucial role in the promotion of angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis can be used as a useful prognostic marker for cervical cancer.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Capillaries
  • Carcinoma / blood supply
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / mortality
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Survival Analysis
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase / biosynthesis*
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase