The role of angiogenic factors in endometrial cancer

Abstract

Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy within the female reproductive system (37.7%). The incidence increases with age. Frequently this type of cancer is diagnosed in peri- and post-menopausal women. 60-70% of cancers occur in women over 60 years of age, and less than 5% in women below 40 years of age.Angiogenesis is a process of formation of new microvessels from existing capillaries. There are four different mechanisms of new vessel growth: sprouting, intussusception, vessel elongation and incorporation of endothelial progenitor cells into new microvessels. Angiogenesis plays important roles in growth of endometrial cancers. This process is controlled by many angiogenic factors, for example vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is the most powerful and most specific endothelial cell growth factor. It plays a crucial role in the initiation of physiological and pathological angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vasculogenesis. The VEGF family consists of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E, VEGF-F and PLGF (placental growth factor). The effects of VEGF are mediated through binding to the two specific and homologous receptors VEGFR-1 (FLT-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR). Placental growth factor (PLGF) belongs to the VEGF family and it is also a very important growth factor. So far four isoforms of PLGF have been identified: PLGF-1 (PLGF131), PLGF-2 (PLGF152), PLGF-3 (PLGF203) and PLGF-4 (PLGF224).

Plasma levels of VEGF-A, VEGF B, and VEGFR-1 and applicability of these parameters as tumor markers in diagnosis of breast cancer

“…Statistically significant plasma overexpression and high gene expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-B and VEGFR-1 have been detected in patients suffering from many types of tumors, also breast cancer (Takahashi, 2011;De Falco, 2012;Thielemann et al, 2013;Lawicki et al, 2013;Żyła et al, 2014;Bry et al, 2014;Ławicki et al, 2016). We have demonstrated statistically significantly higher plasma concentrations of tested parameters in BC patients compared to control groups.…”

“…VEGF-A was discovered in 1989. Its gene consists of 8 exons and plays an important role in the process of blood vessels forming (Leung et al, 1989;Żyła et al, 2014). It is synthesized by various cell types, including mast cells, smooth muscle cells in vessels, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, monocytes, keratinocytes, eosinophils, T lymphocytes and cancer cells (Weryńska et al, 2009).…”

The significance of markers in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer

“…VEGF plays a crucial role in the initiation of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Elevated levels of VEGF have been shown in patients with endometrial cancer [22]. Studies have shown a relationship between the blood level of VEGF and the clinical stage of cancer [23].…”

Odds ratio analysis in women with endometrial cancer

“…The world records show approximately 189,000 new cases of endometrial cancer and 45,000 deaths a year [ 3 ]. The highest incidence rates occur in North American, European, and Australian countries, while the lowest are in countries in Asia and Africa [ 4 ].…”