Expression of angiogenic growth factor genes in primary human astrocytomas may contribute to their growth and progression

Cancer Res. 1991 Feb 15;51(4):1345-51.

Abstract

Astrocytomas are highly malignant brain tumors and are among the most neovascularized solid tumors. We have investigated the expression of the angiogenic growth factors acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha, together with its receptor epidermal growth factor receptor, in 30 primary astrocytomas. Both acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha, together with epidermal growth factor receptor, are found to be greatly overexpressed in these tumors when compared with normal brain. This overexpression of angiogenic growth factors may underlie the intense neovascularization characteristic of astrocytomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / biosynthesis*
  • Astrocytoma / pathology*
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • ErbB Receptors / biosynthesis
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transforming Growth Factor alpha
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
  • ErbB Receptors