Ovarian serous carcinoma: relationship of p53 and bcl-2 with tumor angiogenesis and VEGF expression

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2011 Nov;30(6):521-6. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0b013e31821ac4e1.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in ovarian serous carcinoma and to examine their relation with apoptosis.Paraffin-embedded specimens of 41 cases of ovarian serous carcinomas were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for VEGF, p53, and bcl-2 expression. MVD was assessed with CD31 staining. We investigated the association of tumor angiogenesis (MVD and VEGF) with clinicopathologic factors, p53 overexpression, and bcl-2 expression.There was a significant correlation between high MVD and suboptimal debulking and advanced stage disease. A significant negative correlation was expressed between bcl-2 and VEGF expression. In univariate analysis, only stage had a significant impact on disease-free survival.The results of this study suggest that higher degree of angiogenesis is associated with suboptimal debulking and advanced-stage disease. Expression of VEGF had negative association with VEGF expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / blood supply*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / mortality
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / mortality
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / biosynthesis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A