Scientists at Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine detail research in angiogenesis
March 16th, 2009
2009 MAR 16 -- Researchers detail in 'Histological expression of angiogenic factors: VEGF, PDGFRalpha, and HIF-1alpha in Hodgkin lymphoma,' new data in angiogenesis. According to recent research from Athens, Greece, "Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for solid tumor growth, but there is relatively limited data regarding Hodgkin lymphoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunohistochemical expression of angiogenic and proliferation markers in Hodgkin biopsies in relation to clinical parameters."
"Immunostaining was performed on 65 Hodgkin biopsies with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha), Ki-67, and p53. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 staining. In all cases, neoplastic cells and reactive background cells were evaluated. The neoplastic population expressed VEGF in 48% of the cases, HIF-1alpha in 54% of the cases, and PDGFRalpha in 95% of the cases. Both Ki-67 and p53 were positive in neoplastic cells in over 60% of the cases. The MVD had a median of 2.6/0.0625mm(2) which was not different from normal lymph nodes. VEGF in the non-neoplastic compartment showed increased staining in Ann Arbor stage I-II versus III-IV," wrote F.H. Passam and colleagues, Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine.
The researchers concluded: "VEGF, HIF-1alpha, and predominantly PDGFRalpha are expressed in neoplastic cells in the majority of Hodgkin lymphomas. As microvessel formation is not increased in Hodgkin, additional functions of these angiogenic molecules should be investigated."
Passam and colleagues published their study in Pathology - Research and Practice (Histological expression of angiogenic factors: VEGF, PDGFRalpha, and HIF-1alpha in Hodgkin lymphoma. Pathology - Research and Practice, 2009;205(1):11-20).
For additional information, contact F.H. Passam, Sotiria Hospital, 3rd Dept. of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Publisher contact information for the journal Pathology - Research and Practice is: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom.
