Vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor expression are implicated in the angiogenesis of endometrial cancer

Although many angiogenic factors have been described, it is not well define d which factors are expressed in endometrial cancer. The object of this stu dy was to examine mRNA levels of the two angiogenic factors. vascular endot helial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth fa ctor (PD-ECGF) in endometrial cancer tissues and their association with cli nicopathological features including microvessel density. The level of VEGF and PD-ECGF mRNAs was assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-p olymerase chain reaction using beta-actin as an internal standard in 38 pat ients with endometrial cancer. Microvessel counts were also assessed by imm unostaining for factor VIII-related antigen in the most vascularised area o f the specimen. VEGF/beta-actin ratios of non-endometrioid tumours were sig nificantly higher than those of endometrioid tumours (P = 0.013). VEGF/beta -actin ratios of cases with lymph-vascular space involvement were significa ntly higher than those of cases without lymph-vascular space involvement (P = 0.021). Although it was not statistically significant, PD-ECGF/beta-acti n ratios in grade 3 tumours were higher than those in grade 1 and 2 tumours (P = 0.066). The microvessel density was significantly correlated with the level of VEGF and PD-ECGF mRNA expression (P = 0.041 and P < 0.0001, respe ctively). Our findings provide evidence that the expression of both VEGF an d PD-ECGF is involved in the promotion of angiogenesis in endometrial cance r. In addition, VEGF and PD-ECGF might contribute to the aggressive potenti al of high grade tumours or certain histological subtypes with unfavourable prognosis through the induction of angiogenesis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.