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Vessel Density, Proliferation, and Immunolocalization of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibromas
Jürgen Brieger, PhD;
Magorzata Wierzbicka, MD;
Maxim Sokolov, MD;
Yehudah Roth, MD;
Witold Szyfter, MD;
Wolf J. Mann, MD, PhD
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130:727-731.
Background Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare, highly vascularized neoplasm of the nasopharynx that affects boys and young men. The underlying dysregulated molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The participation of angiogenic growth factors has been suggested, but few studies have been published.
Objectives To evaluate the expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cells, and vessel density in JNA.
Study Design Immunohistochemical examination of 10 consecutive JNAs (8 primary tumors and 2 recurrent tumors).
Methods Paraffin-embedded and cryopreserved JNA samples were included. VEGF-, CD31-, and Ki67-specific antibodies were applied and visualized using light microscopy. Vascularization was determined by counting CD31-positive vessels. Proliferating and VEGF-expressing vessels as well as stromal cells were quantified by the same method. Patients' age at the time of surgery and tumor stage were correlated with the immunohistochemical data.
Results All tumors were heavily vascularized, but major differences were noted between the samples. About half of the vessels were proliferating (Ki67 positive) and half of the Ki67-positive cells were also VEGF positive. The tumor stroma was VEGF positive in 8 of 10 samples and proliferating in 5 of these 8. The 5 samples with both VEGF- and Ki67-positive stroma showed high vessel densities. No correlation was observed between age or tumor stage and vessel density, VEGF expression, or Ki67 expression.
Conclusions In JNA, VEGF is frequently expressed by stromal cells and vessels and is associated with proliferation and increased vessel density. We suggest the promotion of vascularization by VEGF, but the involvement of androgens in JNA angiogenesis still needs to be analyzed.
From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mainz, Germany (Drs Brieger and Mann); Otolaryngology and Laryngeal Oncology, Marcinkowski University of Medicine, Poznan, Poland (Drs Wierzbicka and Szyfter); and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel (Drs Sokolov and Roth). The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.
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