Phosphorus-32 interstitial radiotherapy for recurrent craniopharyngioma: Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor-2 and imaging features of tumors are associated with tumor radiosensitivity

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun;97(26):e11136. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011136.

Abstract

To investigate the relationship of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and imaging features with the therapeutic efficacy of Phosphorus-32 colloid interstitial radiotherapy in recurrent craniopharyngioma.Thirty-two patients with recurrent craniopharyngioma underwent phosphorus-32 colloid interstitial radiotherapy. The tumor imaging features were classified into 4 types according to the thickness of the cyst wall and signals of the cyst contents as shown by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Protein expressions of VEGF and VEGFR-2 in craniopharyngioma tissues were evaluated with immunohistochemistry before radiotherapy. The tumor radiosensitivity was determined at 12 months after the interstitial radiotherapy.VEGF mainly expressed in the tumor cytoplasm, and VEGFR-2 expressed either in vascular endothelial cells or in tumor endothelial cells. VEGF/VEGFR-2 expressions varied significantly in cases sensitive or insensitive to the radiotherapy (VEGF: P = .028; VEGFR-2: P = .017). Tumor imaging features were associated with the therapeutic efficacy of interstitial radiotherapy (P = .000). VEGF expression had no association with the imaging features of tumors (P = .226), but VEGFR-2 expression was associated with the imaging features of tumors (P = .008).Our results confirmed the association among imaging features, VEGFR-2 expressions, and tumor radiosensitivity in craniopharyngiomas. Imaging features and VEGFR-2 expressions may add useful data to the radiosensitive assessment of craniopharyngiomas.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Craniopharyngioma / classification
  • Craniopharyngioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Craniopharyngioma / metabolism
  • Craniopharyngioma / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy*
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes / administration & dosage
  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / classification
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Tolerance / radiation effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Phosphorus Radioisotopes
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Phosphorus-32
  • KDR protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2