VASCULAR-PERMEABILITY FACTOR VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR AND ITS RECEPTORS IN ORAL AND LARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA AND DYSPLASIA

Increased microvessel density has been described in squamous cell carc inoma of the head and neck and is related to patient prognosis. The fa ctors responsible for the angiogenesis have not been identified. Vascu lar permeability factor (VPF), also known as vascular endothelial grow th factor (VEGF), is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine expressed a t high levels in many tumors. We examined 16 cases of squamous cell ca rcinoma, 10 cases of high-grade squamous dysplasia, and 19 cases of no rmal, reactive, or mildly dysplastic squamous mucosa by in situ hybrid ization for expression of VPF/VEGF and VPF/VEGF receptor mRNA. Strong expression of VPF/VEGF mRNA was seen in 12 of 16 squamous cell carcino mas and in 5 of 10 high-grade squamous dysplasias. In contrast, no cas es of normal, reactive, or mild dysplastic squamous epithelium showed strong expression of VPF/VEGF mRNA. Furthermore, strong expression of VPF/VEGF receptor mRNA was seen in 5 of 9 cases of squamous cell carci noma and 3 of 6 cases of high-grade squamous dysplasia but in only 2 o f 14 cases of normal, reactive, or mild dysplastic squamous epithelium . Thus, expression of VPF/VEGF and its receptors is markedly increased in high-grade squamous dysplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and larynx and may play an important role in the a ngiogenesis associated with these lesions.