Microvessel density and the association with single nucleotide polymorphisms of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in patients with colorectal cancer

Virchows Arch. 2010 Mar;456(3):251-60. doi: 10.1007/s00428-009-0878-8. Epub 2010 Feb 9.

Abstract

The measurement of microvessel density (MVD) is a widely accepted method for assessing the neoangiogenetic activity in neoplasia. The aim of the present study was to compare MVD with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1 and VEGFR-2 genes and, furthermore, with quantitative measurements of the receptors in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. Prognosis was also assessed. Blood and tissue were collected from 110 patients surgically resected for CRC. SNPs were analysed from genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction. MVD was assessed by immunohistochemistry using CD34 and CD105 combined with caldesmon in order to identify also immature vessels. Microvessels were counted in three fields of vision, and the mean MVD was used for statistical analysis. The VEGFR-2 1192 C/T and -604 T/C SNPs were associated with the MVD assessed by CD105. The median MVD score for the 1192 CC genotype was significantly lower compared to the CT + TT genotypes (p = 0.002). The median MVD score for the -604 CC genotype was significantly higher compared to the TT + TC genotypes (p = 0.009). A possible association, although non-significant, was demonstrated for the CD34-positive microvessels. The 1192 CC genotype and the -604 TT + TC genotypes correlated with improved survival. This is the first report on correlations between SNPs in the VEGF receptor genes and MVD in patients with CRC. Associations were shown between two SNPs in the VEGFR-2 gene and the CD105-positive microvessels indicating an impact on neoangiogenesis. Moreover, an association between the SNPs and survival was demonstrated. The clinical implications of these findings need further investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / blood supply*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endoglin
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microvessels / anatomy & histology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • ENG protein, human
  • Endoglin
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2