BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the role of the lymphangiogenic markers VEGF-C, VEGF-D and Flt-4 in transitional bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival cystectomy tumor blocks of 286 patients were selected for construction of a tissue microarray (TMA). Paraffin sections were assessed immunohistochemically using polyclonal antibodies against VEGF-C, VEGF-D and Flt-4. Staining results were evaluated semiquantitatively and analyzed for their association with various clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: There was no association of VEGF-C with histopathological parameters or clinical outcome. Patients with VEGF-D overexpression had higher pathological tumor stages (p =0.021) and regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.008). Furthermore, they had a significantly reduced disease-free survival (p=0.042). Overexpression of Flt-4 was particularly present in the subgroup of G3 and G4 tumors (p=0.001) and was associated with a shorter disease-free survival (p=0.041). In multivariate analysis, only tumor stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION: Targeting VEGF-D and Flt-4 could be a useful tool to predict and control progression of bladder cancer.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the role of the lymphangiogenic markers VEGF-C, VEGF-D and Flt-4 in transitional bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Archival cystectomy tumor blocks of 286 patients were selected for construction of a tissue microarray (TMA). Paraffin sections were assessed immunohistochemically using polyclonal antibodies against VEGF-C, VEGF-D and Flt-4. Staining results were evaluated semiquantitatively and analyzed for their association with various clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: There was no association of VEGF-C with histopathological parameters or clinical outcome. Patients with VEGF-D overexpression had higher pathological tumor stages (p =0.021) and regional lymph node metastasis (p=0.008). Furthermore, they had a significantly reduced disease-free survival (p=0.042). Overexpression of Flt-4 was particularly present in the subgroup of G3 and G4 tumors (p=0.001) and was associated with a shorter disease-free survival (p=0.041). In multivariate analysis, only tumor stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION: Targeting VEGF-D and Flt-4 could be a useful tool to predict and control progression of bladder cancer.
Authors: Michael Rink; Eugene K Cha; David Green; Jens Hansen; Brian D Robinson; Yair Lotan; Arthur I Sagalowsky; Felix K Chun; Pierre I Karakiewicz; Margit Fisch; Douglas S Scherr; Shahrokh F Shariat Journal: Curr Urol Rep Date: 2012-04 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Elizabeth A Beierle; Xiaojie Ma; Jerry E Stewart; Michael Megison; William G Cance; Elena V Kurenova Journal: Mol Carcinog Date: 2012-10-12 Impact factor: 4.784
Authors: Jerry E Stewart; Xiaojie Ma; Michael Megison; Hugh Nabers; William G Cance; Elena V Kurenova; Elizabeth A Beierle Journal: Mol Carcinog Date: 2013-07-19 Impact factor: 4.784
Authors: Marcia R Saban; Joseph M Backer; Marina V Backer; Julie Maier; Ben Fowler; Carole A Davis; Cindy Simpson; Xue-Ru Wu; Lori Birder; Michael R Freeman; Shay Soker; Robert E Hurst; Ricardo Saban Journal: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Date: 2008-05-07