Assessment of VEGF and EGFR in the study of angiogenesis of eyelid carcinomas

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2016;57(4):1229-1234.

Abstract

A tumor represents an abnormal tissue growth that can arise from any ocular structure, such as eyelids, muscles or the optic nerve. At the eyelids, there are two main tumor types: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in growth, invasion and metastasis processes of any tumor. It is well known the fact that without new vessels formation tumors cannot exceed 1-2 mm diameter. Immunohistochemical analysis has been performed on 43 cases of primary carcinomas of the eyelid, diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 in the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of the University Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, Romania. Biological material was represented by surgical resection samples, coming from the Clinic of Ophthalmology the anteriorly named Hospital. Within the immunohistochemical study, we have evaluated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a group of 43 cutaneous carcinomas of the eyelid, depending on the type and differentiation grade of the tumor. Of the 43 samples, 23 came from patients with eyelid basal cell carcinoma and 20 came from patients with eyelid squamous cell carcinoma. In our study, EGFR and VEGF immunoexpression was superior for squamous cell carcinomas, compared to basal cell carcinomas, fact that was statistically significant. Regarding squamous cell carcinomas, the immunoexpression of these two markers was superior in moderate÷poor differentiated forms, compared to well differentiated forms, fact that was statistically significant. The markers used in this study were found to be associated with the acquisition of aggression and angiogenic phenotypes by analyzed carcinomas.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / biosynthesis*
  • Eyelid Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Eyelid Neoplasms / genetics
  • Eyelid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Eyelid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors