Microvessel Density Is Associated with VEGF and α-SMA Expression in Different Regions of Human Gastrointestinal Carcinomas.

Tumor angiogenesis is known to be regulated by growth factors secreted by host and tumor cells. Despite the importance of tumor vasculature and angiogenic heterogeneity in solid tumors, few studies have compared the vasculature in different regions of human cancer. Blood vessels from different regions of carcinomas might have morphofunctional implications in tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, therefore, we have examined the relationship between microvascular density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in the center of the tumor (CT), periphery (P) and metastasis (M) regions from gastrointestinal carcinomas (GITC), as well as the association of MVD with clinicopathological factors. Surgically resected specimens corresponding to the CT, P and M from 27 patients were examined for FVIII, VEGF and α-SMA by immunohistochemistry. The MVD was not significantly different in the CT, P and M regions from GITC. The MVD in the VEGF positive group was significantly higher than in the VEGF negative group (CT, p = 0.034; P, p = 0.030; M, p = 0.032). The MVD as a function of α-SMA expression was also significantly higher in the CT and P region compared to the M region (p = 0.0008). In conclusion, the MVD association with VEGF and α-SMA expression, might indicate an increase of the number of neoformed and preexisting blood vessels uniformly or partially covered by pericytes in different regions of GITC, suggesting that not only MVD and VEGF are important parameters to the tumor vasculature, but also blood vessels maturation is a crucial factor for gastrointestinal tumor angiogenesis regulation and possible target of vascular therapy.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and to determine its possible association with tumor differentiation status, optic nerve and/or choroidal invasion, anterior chamber invasion, vitreous seeding, and basophilic staining of the vascular walls. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to identify the expression of VEGF in 47 of 129 consecutive patients with retinoblastoma treated at the Ocular Pathology Laboratory of the Anatomy and Pathology Institute of the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2007. RESULTS: A positive correlation between VEGF staining intensity and time of progression and mitotic and apoptotic indexes was observed. However, no correlation was found between VEGF expression and other prognostic factors in this malignant neoplasm, including tumor stage as assessed by the Grabowski and Abramson classification. CONCLUSIONS: Although the isolated characterization of VEGF in retinoblastoma is not grounds for this protein to be considered a prognostic factor, its association with mitotic and apoptotic indexes suggests it may play a role in the progression of this disease. Thus, therapeutic targeting of VEGF in retinoblastoma may be an effective strategy to reduce tumor progression.

Nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos palpebrales / Subepidermal calcified nodules palpebral

La calcinosis cutis comprende cuatro formas de presentación: calcinosis cutis metastásica, calcinosis distrófica, calcinosis idiopática y nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos. La calcinosis cutis metastásica se desarrolla como resultado de hipercalcemia o hiperfosfatemia. En la calcinosis cutis distrófica, el calcio se deposita sobre un tejido previamente dañado. La calcinosis cutis idiopática es similar a la calcificación distrófica, pero se presenta sin evidencia de enfermedad subyacente. Los nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos, también conocidos como cálculos cutáneos se observan como lesiones pequeñas, elevadas y únicas. Se ven en niños o adultos jóvenes. El aspecto puede ser verrugoso o en casos tiene apariencia suave. La localización más común es en la cara. Se presentan cinco casos con diagnóstico de nódulos calcificados subepidérmicos, localizados en el párpado, diagnosticados en la Sección de Patología Ocular del Instituto Anatomopatológico "Dr. J. A. O’Daly"

Cutis calcinosis has four clinical presentations: metastatic calcinosis cutis, dystrophic calcinosis, idiopathic calcinosis and sub epidermal calcified nodules. Metastatic cutis calcinosis occurs as a result of hypercalcaemia or hyperphosphatemia. In dystrophic calcinosis cutis, calcium is deposited over a previously damaged tissue. Similar to dystrophic calcinosis, idiopathic calcinosis cutis is presented without any subjacent illness. Sub epidermal calcified nodules, also known as a cutaneous calculus are tiny, unique and elevated lesions. It is appear in children or young adults. The clinical aspect may be since soft lesions to verrugous appearance. The most common site to be seen is on the face. We present five eyelid sub epidermal calcified nodules diagnosed in Ocular Pathology Section at The Instituto Anatomopatologico "Dr. Jose A. O’Daly"

Relationship between VEGF and p53 expression and tumor cell proliferation in human gastrointestinal carcinomas.

PURPOSE: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 play important roles in the growth of tumor. However, the relationship between the expression of VEGF and p53 and tumor cell proliferation in human gastrointestinal cancer remains unknown. In the present study, therefore, we have examined the relationship between VEGF and p53 expression and tumor cell proliferation in gastrointestinal carcinoma (GITC), as well as the association between these biomarkers and clinicopathological factors. METHODS: Surgical specimens from 30 patients with GITC were examined for VEGF, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: We found a predominant VEGF expression of moderate intensity in 16(54.84%) of 30 GITC cases, while p53 expression was mainly high in 13(45.16%) of 30 GITC cases. PCNA expression was high in 20(64.52%) of 30 GITC cases. Tumor size, infiltration, vascular invasion, and gastritis were significantly correlated with VEGF, p53, and PCNA expression. There was a significant correlation between VEGF and p53 expression (P = 0.0001), VEGF and PCNA expression (P = 0.00004), and between p53 expression and PCNA expression (P = 0.0016). When the VEGF and p53 expression, and PCNA expression were considered together, both VEGF and p53 expression were not significantly associated with PCNA. A significant correlation between the PCNA expression and the mitotic index (P = 0.0016) was also found. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that VEGF and p53 expression are significantly correlated as independent prognostic factors with tumor cell proliferation, and might be associated with relevant events involved in gastrointestinal tumor biology.