Expression of angiogenic factors and tumor progression in human neuroblastoma

Purpose: The growth and metastasis of malignant tumors is largely dependent on angiogenesis. Angiogenic factors produced by tumor cells are known to p romote tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate which a ngiogenic factor is the most important in the progression of neuroblastoma (NB). Procedure: The relative expression levels of vascular endothelial gro wth factor-A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and p latelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PD-ECGF/TP) were studied in 28 N B tumor specimens by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase/polymeras e chain reaction (RT-PCR). The relationships between the expression of thes e four angiogenic factors and stage, patient age, primary site, MYCN copy n umber, and lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Results: High VEGF-A expres sion was correlated with stage 4 disease (blood-borne metastasis). No relat ionship between VEGF-A expression and age, primary site, MYCN copy number, or lymph node metastasis was found. The expression of VEGF-C, bFGF, or PD-E CGF/TP showed no correlation with stage, age, primary site, MYCN copy numbe r, or lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that VEGF-A, but not VEGF-C, bFGF, or PD-ECGF/TP, may be associated with progression of NB. VEGF-A could be a target for antiangiogenic therapy for disseminated N B.