Immunolocalization of VEGF, VEGF receptors, EGF-R and Ki-67 in leiomyoma, cellular leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma

Angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), are involved in increased progression in many carcinomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of angiogenesis and immunolocalization of VEGF, its receptors, EGF-R and Ki 67 in leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas using an indirect immunohistochemical method. Samples from patients with leiomyoma, cellular leiomyoma and cellular leiomyosarcoma (n=20 per group) were fixed in 10% formalin and processed using routine paraffin protocols. Following initial histological analysis, samples were immunostained with primary antibodies for VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, EGF-R and Ki-67 using an indirect avidin–biotin peroxidase method. Immunostaining intensities were evaluated as mild, moderate or strong and a semi-quantitative method (H-Score) was used to compare the samples. While mild/moderate EGF-R immunostaining and moderate immunostaining for VEGF and its receptors were observed in samples of leiomyomas, much less immunoreactivity was observed in cellular leiomyomas. All immunoreactivities and immune-stained cells increased in leiomyosarcomas. When scores of intensity and percentage of positive staining cells were compared, all immunoreactivities were shown to be significantly increased in leiomyosarcomas compared to leiomyomas. These results suggest that in leiomyosarcoma, angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, its receptors and EGF-R, may be involved in tumor angiogenesis. Active tumor cells can trigger angiogenesis, interaction with surrounding tissue and in the tissue itself initiating angiogenic activity. Angiogenic growth factors play an important role and induce malignant transformation through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Anti-angiogenic agents may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of leiomyosarcoma.