Objectives: The role of angiogenesis in leiomyosarcomas still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the NRP1 expression in the leiomyosarcoma tissues and to find the relations between its expression and the clinical features.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 50 patients with diagnosis of the uterine leiomyosarcoma. Clinical and follow up data were collected. Using immunohistochemical methods the expression of NRP1 was detected.
Results: The lack of NRP1 expression was found in 14 cases, positive (weak or moderate) expression was noted in 36 cases. The significantly higher expression of NRP1 was observed in more severe clinical stages in comparison to lower stages of the disease. The significantly shorter survival of patients with the positive expression of NRP1 in leiomyosarcoma was observed.
Conclusions: The expression of NRP1 is associated with clinical advancement and worse prognosis in uterine LMS. Neuropilin 1 can be widely used as a postoperative survival predictor for the patients suffering from uterine LMS.
Keywords: angiogenesis; neuropilin 1; uterine sarcoma.