Correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression with fibroblast growth factor-8 expression and clinico-pathologic parameters in human prostate cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediates neo-angiogenesis during tumour progression and is known to cooperate with the fibroblast growth fac tor (FGF) system to facilitate angiogenesis in a synergistic manner. In vie w of this, we have investigated VEGF expression in 67 cases of prostate can cer previously characterized for fibroblast growth factor-8 (FGF-8) express ion. Cytoplasmic VEGF staining was detected in malignant cells in 45 out of 67 cases. Cytoplasmic staining was found in adjacent stromal cells in 32 c ases, being particularly strong around nests of invasive tumour. Positive V EGF immunoreactivity in benign glands was restricted to basal epithelium. A significant association was observed between tumour VEGF and FGF-8 express ion (P = 0.004). We identified increased VEGF immunoreactivity in both mali gnant epithelium and adjacent stroma and both were found to be significantl y associated with high tumour stage (P = 0.0047 and P = 0.0002, respectivel y). VEGF expression also correlated with increased serum PSA levels (P = 0. 01). Among positively stained tumours, VEGF expression showed a significant association with Gleason score (P = 0.04). Cases showing positive VEGF imm unoreactivity in the stroma had a significantly reduced survival rate compa red to those with negative staining (P = 0.037). Cases with tumours express ing both FGF-8 in the malignant epithelium and VEGF in the adjacent stroma had a significantly worse survival rate than those with tumours negative fo r both, or only expressing one of the two growth factors (P = 0.029). Cox m ultivariate regression analysis of survival demonstrated that stromal VEGF and turnout stage were the most significant independent predictors of survi val. In conclusion, we report for the first time a correlation of both tumo ur and stromal VEGF expression in prostate cancer with clinical parameters as well as its correlation to FGF-8 expression. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Ca mpaign http://www.bjcancer.com.