Angiogenic profile of childhood primitive neuroectodermal brain tumours/medulloblastomas

Eur J Cancer. 2001 Nov;37(16):2064-72. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(01)00225-8.

Abstract

Primitive neuroectodermal brain tumours (PNET) including medulloblastomas (PNET/MB) are the most common malignant brain tumours of childhood. Similar to many other brain tumours, PNET/MB often show marked neovascularisation. To determine which angiogenic factors contribute to PNET/MB angiogenesis, we examined the expression of eight angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF, VEGF-B, VEGF-C), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiopoetins (Ang-1, Ang-2), transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha), and platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PDGF-A)) by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in six PNET cell lines and 28 primary PNET/MB. Expression levels of angiogenic factors were compared with microvessel density, TrkC mRNA expression, clinical variables and survival outcomes. Our results indicate that all PNET/MB tested produce a wide range of angiogenic factors that are, individually or together, likely to play a direct role in PNET/MB tumour growth. This suggests that anti-angiogenesis approaches targeting VEGF alone may be insufficient in PNET/MB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / genetics
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Expression
  • Glioma / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Medulloblastoma / blood supply
  • Medulloblastoma / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / blood supply*
  • Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Receptor, trkC / genetics
  • Receptor, trkC / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Survival Rate
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Receptor, trkC