Association of vascular endothelial growth factor and mast cells with angiogenesis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

We investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density in 54 cases of invasive laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in ten samples of normal laryngeal tissue using immunohistochemistry methods. The study also focused on the distribution of mast cells in and around the SCCs. The microvascular density in laryngeal carcinoma tissue was higher than that in normal tissue (P = 0.02). VEGF was localized in SCCs, stromal cells, endothelial cells, minor salivary glands, and non-cancer epithelium adjacent to the tumor. VEGF expression in the tumor cells was found in 13 of 54 cases (24.1%), whereas mast cells around the carcinomas were VEGF positive in all 54 cases. Staining of VEGF in SCCs was strong in the area of high microvascular density (P = 0.0002). Using a multi-labeling subtraction immunostaining method, VEGF-positive stromal cells were classified mostly as mast cells and, in a few instances, as macrophages. VEGF staining in SCCs was associated with the mast cell count (P = 0.0001). There was no distinct correlation between VEGF expression and pTNM stage of an SCC. In conclusion, the results suggest that VEGF might be an important angiogenic factor in cancer invasion. Laryngeal cancer cells and mast cells may control the angiogenic response by releasing VEGF.

Laryngectomy whole organ serial sections Histological Parameters Correlated with Recurrence Rate

“…The radiation response from the vasculoconnective tissues influences the radiation sensitivity of the carcinoma cells. Inappropriately high daily radiation doses result in fibrosclerosis with reduced oxygenation and nourishment of the tissues with adverse effect on the radiosensitivity of the tumor cells (39).…”

Mast cells and cutaneous malignancies

“…12,14 VEGF is one of the most potent angiogenic factors which contributes to neovascularization by promoting mitosis of endothelial cells and inducing hyperpermeability in microvessels, leading to extravasation of other proangiogenic factors into the extracellular matrix. 72,73 Tumor cells and stromal cells in turn secrete cytokines such as TGF-a and platelet-derived growth factor, which perpetuate mast cell expression of VEGF. 72 In an elegant study, Coussens et al 74 show that mast cell-deficient human papillomavirus-infected transgenic mice have severely attenuated tumor angiogenesis and growth when compared with their wild-type littermates.…”

“…72,73 Tumor cells and stromal cells in turn secrete cytokines such as TGF-a and platelet-derived growth factor, which perpetuate mast cell expression of VEGF. 72 In an elegant study, Coussens et al 74 show that mast cell-deficient human papillomavirus-infected transgenic mice have severely attenuated tumor angiogenesis and growth when compared with their wild-type littermates. This study shows that tryptase and chymase, the two mast cell-specific proteases, contribute to neovascularization during squamous cell carcinogenesis.…”

Comparação entre a concentração de mastócitos em carcinomas espinocelulares da pele e da cavidade oral

“…9 Recently, tryptase from mast cells was identified as another potent proangiogenic factor in the tumors and its role has been studied in various forms of cancer. 10 A study conducted by Sawatsubashi et al 11 suggests that SCC cells and mast cells may control the angiogenic response through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release.…”