Assessment of microvessel density and carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA-9) expression in rectal cancer

The mechanism by which neoplasias respond to hypoxia determines their biological behavior and prognosis. Understanding the biology of tumors under hypoxic conditions is crucial for the development of anti-angiogenic therapy. Using the largest cohort of rectal adenocarcinomas to date, this study aimed to assess microvessel density (MVD) and carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA-9) expression and to correlate the results with recurrence and cancer-specific survival. Patients ( n=101) who underwent surgery for rectal adenocarcinoma without previous neoadjuvant therapy or metastatic disease were selected. MVD and CA-9 expression were assessed immunohistologically by using the CD34 antibody and the MN/CA9 M75 antibody, respectively. In a multifactorial analysis, the results were correlated with tumor stage, recurrence rate, and long-term survival. MVD was higher with increased T- and N-stages ( p