BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are neoplasms that are highly vascularized, have an intermediate prognosis, and are associated with infiltration, obstruction, local recurrence, and rare metastasis. Resection of large IMTs can lead to substantial morbidity and even mortality. Anecdotal experience suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may eradicate large IMTs or shrink them to a more readily resectable size and configuration. To support the hypothesis that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are antiangiogenic for IMTs by interfering with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling via cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibition, IMT specimens were immunohistochemically examined for expression of COX-2 enzyme and VEGF. METHODS: The diagnosis of IMT was confirmed in all 18 cases comprising the study. Intensity of COX-2 and VEGF staining was graded, and staining uniformity was examined. ALK-1 protein expression, found in up to two thirds of IMTs, was also determined. RESULTS: COX-2 and VEGF expression were identified in all tissue examined, with staining intensity varying independently. ALK-1 protein expression was identified in 33% of specimens. Its presence was not related to the intensity of COX-2 or VEGF staining. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the mediators of angiogenesis, VEGF and COX-2, are present and may play an important role in the growth of IMTs.
BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are neoplasms that are highly vascularized, have an intermediate prognosis, and are associated with infiltration, obstruction, local recurrence, and rare metastasis. Resection of large IMTs can lead to substantial morbidity and even mortality. Anecdotal experience suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may eradicate large IMTs or shrink them to a more readily resectable size and configuration. To support the hypothesis that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are antiangiogenic for IMTs by interfering with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling via cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibition, IMT specimens were immunohistochemically examined for expression of COX-2 enzyme and VEGF. METHODS: The diagnosis of IMT was confirmed in all 18 cases comprising the study. Intensity of COX-2 and VEGF staining was graded, and staining uniformity was examined. ALK-1 protein expression, found in up to two thirds of IMTs, was also determined. RESULTS:COX-2 and VEGF expression were identified in all tissue examined, with staining intensity varying independently. ALK-1 protein expression was identified in 33% of specimens. Its presence was not related to the intensity of COX-2 or VEGF staining. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the mediators of angiogenesis, VEGF and COX-2, are present and may play an important role in the growth of IMTs.
Authors: Joseph Shatzel; Kimberly Wooten; Anita Ankola; Richard T Cheney; Carl D Morrison; Joseph J Skitzki Journal: Int J Clin Oncol Date: 2011-08-09 Impact factor: 3.402
Authors: Giacomo Giulio Baldi; Mehdi Brahmi; Salvatore Lo Vullo; Elena Cojocaru; Olivier Mir; Michela Casanova; Bruno Vincenzi; Tommaso Martino De Pas; Giovanni Grignani; Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo; Jean Yves Blay; Robin Lewis Jones; Axel Le Cesne; Anna Maria Frezza; Alessandro Gronchi; Paola Collini; Angelo Paolo Dei Tos; Carlo Morosi; Luigi Mariani; Paolo Giovanni Casali; Silvia Stacchiotti Journal: Oncologist Date: 2020-07-12