Microvessel Density and Expressions of bcl-2, p53, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Endometrial Carcinoma.
- Author:
Soon Young KIM
1
;
Hae Jin JEONG
;
Myeng Sun PARK
;
Bang HUR
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Kosin University Medical Center and Eonyang Boram Hospital, Busan 602-702, Korea. hurbang@ns.kosinmed.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carcinoma;
Endometrium;
Genes;
bcl-2;
p53
- MeSH:
Carcinogenesis;
Carcinoma, Endometrioid;
Endometrial Neoplasms*;
Endometrium;
Female;
Genes, Tumor Suppressor;
Immunohistochemistry;
Microvessels*;
Oncogenes;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2001;35(5):401-407
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The inverse role of bcl-2 and p53 in endometrial carcinomas has been debated. Moreover, their roles in angiogenesis as well as the interrelationship between prognostic clinico-pathological factors and angiogenesis have not been elucidated in endometrial carcinomas. METHODS: The expression rates of bcl-2, p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in thirty-eight cases of surgically removed endometrial carcinomas were investigated using an avidin-biotin complex method of immunohistochemistry. CD34 immunostain for microvessel density (MVD) was also performed. RESULTS: The expression rate of bcl-2 was higher in the endometrioid type carcinoma (43.8%) than in the non-endometriod type carcinoma (16.7%). There was a significantly increased bcl-2 expression in grade I compared to grades II and III (P<0.05). The p53 expression rate was significantly higher in the non-endometriod type carcinoma than in the endometrioid type carcinoma (P<0.05).The VEGF expression rate was higher in the non-endometriod type carcinoma (83.3%) than in the endometrioid carcinoma (28.1%). Differences of MVD according to stages, histological types, grades and bcl-2, p53 and VEGF expressions were not noted. CONCLUSIONS: The expression rate of bcl-2 increases in the low grade endometrial carcinoma more than in the high grade one, so it may be suggested that bcl-2 expression could be used for an ancillary prognosticator. However, p53 and VEGF expressions and microvessel density may not have any prognostic value.
