Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in human renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, one of the most important angiogenetic factors) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by analysing many RCCs for the expression of immunohistochemical (IHC) VEGF‐staining related to clinicopathological findings and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS VEGF immunostaining was examined with the tissue microarray (TMA) method on tumour samples from 229 patients and validated in 71 by ordinary tissue sections (TS). IHC VEGF expression was quantified by estimating the volume density and staining intensity on a three‐grade scale. RESULTS In most RCCs there was VEGF staining in the cell cytoplasm and membrane. In cell membranes the VEGF expression declined with storage time. IHC VEGF expression analysed by TMA and TS gave corresponding results. There was no difference in VEGF expression among conventional, papillary and chromophobe RCCs. There were significant correlations between VEGF expression and tumour size and stage. In univariate analysis VEGF expression correlated with survival, especially in conventional RCCs; this prognostic information was lost in multivariate analysis. The VEGF staining intensity correlated only with VEGF expression but not with any clinicopathological factors. CONCLUSIONS VEGF protein was present in most RCC cells. There was no difference in VEGF expression among the different RCC types. The correlation between VEGF expression and tumour stage and with prognosis indicates the significance of VEGF within tumour growth and progression in RCC.

Absence of VHL gene alteration and high VEGF expression are associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor survival of renal-cell carcinoma

“…The immunohistochemical signals in the CCRCCs were evaluated as membranous and/or cytoplasmic. For prognostic analysis, a 30% cut-off was used according to previous reports (Jacobsen et al, 2004). pVHL immunohistohemical staining of tissue sections was performed with a monoclonal anti-pVHL antibody (Ig33; Neomarkers, Fremont, CA, USA; Schraml et al, 2003;Valle et al, 2005), in an automated stainer using the ultraview DAB detection kit (Benchmark; Ventana, Tucson, AZ, USA) following antigen retrieval.…”

Interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor release by renal cell carcinoma cells impedes lymphocyte–dendritic cell cross-talk

“…Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells are known to secrete both interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [14,15]. These molecules present mitogenic and immunosuppressive effects [16][17][18].…”

Genomics of renal cell cancer — Does it provide breakthrough?

“…33 On the other hand, VEGF can also be detected in RCC cells, and the intensity of staining correlates with the grade and stage. 15 …”