Angiogenesis in epithelian ovarian cancer

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature, is an essential component of solid tumour growth and metastasis. Several angiogenic factors are expressed by many tumours, suggesting that tumours promote their own vascularisation by activating the host endothelium. This review will discuss various angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors in epithelian ovarian cancer (EOC), including vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase. The analysis of tumour vascularisation by microvessel density will also be discussed and the relevance of these markers of angiogenesis in the prognosis of EOC will be assessed.

Figures

Figure 1

(A) Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in primary serous epithelian ovarian cancer (EOC); original magnification, ×100. (B) Platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase expression in primary serous EOC; original magnification, ×100. (C) VEGF-C expression in primary mucinous EOC; original magnification, ×16. (D) van Willebrand factor expression in primary mucinous EOC, showing several microvessels around a blood vessel; original magnification, ×100.