Expression of VEGF-A in intraepithelial and invasive cervical neoplasia

Abstract

Angiogenesis seems to be an early event that is associated with disease progression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The aim of this study was to describe and analyze VEGF-A expression in CIN 3 and invasive cervical carcinoma, in tumor cells and stromal cells. This study comprised three groups: Group 1: 53 cases with CIN 3; Group 2: 24 cases with both CIN 3 and invasive carcinoma components; Group 3: 36 cases with invasive carcinoma. Protein expression was investigated in tumor and stromal cells by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was carried out, considering the mean percentage of immunopositive cells. VEGF-A expression was higher in stromal cells in cases of invasive carcinoma (Group 3) than in CIN 3 cases (Group 1) and this difference was statistically significant. VEGF-A expression showed a borderline association between stromal cells in invasive carcinoma (Group 3) and invasive carcinoma associated with CIN 3 (Group 2). The mean percentage of cells expressing VEGF-A was significantly higher in tumor cells in CIN 3 than in stromal cells in CIN 3 (Group 1). The progression of CIN 3 to invasive carcinoma seems be determined by complex interactions between tumor and stromal cells. These findings reinforce the evidence of the role of stromal cells in tumor invasiveness