Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in some cases of gliomas (astrocytomas)

Abstract

The present study aimed at the detection of VEGF expression in some gliomas and correlation of its presence with the tumor grade, degree of tumor vascularity, and p53 expression. In addition, VEGF expresston was correlated with other radiological and pathological variables such as the presence of edema, vascular prolifCration, and necrosis. Moreover, the relation between VEG F expression and outcome of the patients was assessed in order to de term inc its prognostic value.

In the current study, immunohistochemical reaction was assessed by CIA, in order to obtain an accurate quantitative assessment of the studied factors which would make statistical analysis more reliable.

The present study comprised 128 cases of gliomas, which were

31 subsequently classiricd according to the WHO classification (2000).( )

Astrocytic tumors were the most frequently encountered group in the present study, and constituted 66.4% of the total number. Out of these, the diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas were the most abundant (70.6%).

Diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas

In this study, it was found that vascularity correlated significantfy with tumor grade indicating that angiogenesis plays an important role in the tumor progression especially during the transition from grade III to glioblastoma. In the present study, a significant association between VEGF expression and astrocytoma grading was detected which suggest that a link exists between VEGF expression and astrocytoma progression