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Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Author(s): Konrad Dziobek*, Marcin Opławski, Beniamin Oskar Grabarek, Nikola Zmarzły, Barbara Tomala, Tomasz Halski, Ewa Leśniak, Krzysztof Januszyk, Ryszard Brus, Robert Kiełbasiński and Dariusz Boroń

DOI: 10.2174/1389201020666190717092448

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Changes in the Expression Profile of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 in Different Grades of Endometrial Cancer

Page: [955 - 963] Pages: 9

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Abstract

Background: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are important proteins involved in the induction and development of a new blood vessel network through which the tumor is properly nourished and oxygenated.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in endometrial cancer depending on its grade and to determine the VEGFR-1 to VEGFR-2 concentration ratio.

Methods: The study group consisted of 45 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (G1, 17; G2, 15; G3, 13). The control group included 15 patients. VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 expression was assessed using the immunohistochemical method. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistica 12 PL program (StatSoft, Cracow, Poland). It included the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p<0.05).

Results: Statistically significant differences in the level of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 were observed between the majority of analyzed groups (except for VEGF-B; G3 vs. G1, p=0.997700). The expression pattern of VEGF-A, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 was as follows: G3>G2>G1>C; VEGF-B: G2> G3> G1>C. A lower concentration of VEGFR-1 than VEGFR-2 was found regardless of the cancer grade.

Conclusion: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-R1, VEGFR-2 are key proteins involved in tumor angiogenesis. The analysis of the entire panel of proteins participating in a given process is an important element of modern diagnostics. The concentration ratio of VEGFR-1 to VEGFR-2 appears to be a determining factor in the patients' survival prognosis.

Keywords: VEGF-A/B, VEGFR-1/2, angiogenesis, endometrial cancer, tumor angiogenesis, adenomyosis.

Graphical Abstract

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