Abstract LB-289: Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the minor salivary glands

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Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the minor salivary glands as potential predictors of tumor behavior. Intratumoral and peritumoral neoformed (NMVD) and lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) were evaluated by CD105 and D2–40 immunohistochemistry, respectively. D2–40, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C immunoexpression were also investigated in tumor parenchyma. Twenty-six paraffin-embedded MEC samples were included in the study. Palate (50%) and buccal mucosa (19.2%) were the main affected sites. Sixteen (61.5%) tumors were low-grade, 6 (23.1%) intermediate-grade, and 4 (15.4%) high-grade. Twenty (77%) cases were clinically T1-T2, and 6 (23%) were T3-T4. Nodal metastasis occurred in 3 (11.5%) cases and distant metastasis in 1 (3.8%). Three (11.5%) cases recurred, and 3 (11.5%) patients died from disease. NMVD mean was 19.58±13.91 (400x field) for intratumoral evaluation and 10.90±7.79 (400x field) for peritumoral evaluation. LMVD mean was 5.66±3.43 (400x field) for peritumoral evaluation and 0.54±3.43 (400x field) for intratumoral evaluation. Just 6 (23.1%) cases reveal intratumoral lymphatic vessels. Twenty-two (84,6%) cases showed D2–40 in neoplastic cells, mainly in epidermoid type. Fifteen (57.7%) cases were positive for VEGFA, and 11 (42.3%) were positive for VEGF-C. A positive association was observed between VEGF-A positivity and intratumoral NMVD (p=0.05). Cases with nodal metastasis, altogether, were related to low intratumoral NMVD, high peritumoral LMVD, D2–40 expression and absence of VEGF-A. Distant metastasis was associated with low intratumoral NMVD, high peritumoral LMVD, D2–40 positivity and absence of VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression. Recurrent cases presented low intratumoral NMVD, and absence of VEGF-A and VEGF-C expression. Low intratumoral NMVD, and D2–40 positive cells were found in all tumors of patients that died of the disease. In conclusion, although NMVD, LMVD, D2–40, VEGF-A, and VEGF-C could not predict the prognosis of MEC, intratumoral NMVD, peritumoral LMVD, D2–40 and VEGF-A expression seems play a role in the occurrence of a worse behavior in this disease. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-289. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-LB-289