Abstract
Microvessel density of benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumours was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies to the endothelial cell markers CD31, CD34 and factor VIII-related antigen. Microvessel density was compared in tumours of different histological subtype, stage and patient outcome. CD31-immunostained sections were examined and regions of high and average microvessel density were selected. Identical regions were located on CD34- and factor VIII-related antigen-immunostained serial sections and microvessel counts obtained and converted to vessels mm(-2). CD31 and CD34 immunostaining revealed increased microvessel density in both the high and average vessel density regions of mucinous (222.4 +/- 24.8; 79.9 +/- 8.5) compared with serous (105.4 +/- 20.7; 33.3 +/- 6.8) and benign (84.4 +/- 19.4; 20.4 +/- 4.4) tumours (P < 0.001). CD31 and CD34 immunostaining also revealed increased microvessel density in early-stage mucinous tumours (234.6 +/- 28.2; 87.8 +/- 9.2) compared with that observed in both early- (72.8 +/- 15; 12.9 +/- 2.4) and late- (115.6 +/- 26.5; 29.8 +/- 8.5) stage serous tumours (P < 0.001). No differences in microvessel density in samples from patients with differing outcomes were observed (P > 0.05). Reduced factor VIII-related antigen compared with CD31 and CD34 immunostaining was observed in both borderline and malignant mucinous and serous tumours (P < 0.02) but not in benign tumours (P > 0.05). Our results contradict the putative association between increased microvessel density and poor prognosis and suggest that the level and control of angiogenesis may differ between ovarian tumour types.
Highlights
The relative abilities of these antibodies to highlight the vasculature has been examined in a number of tumours (Kuzu et al, 1992; Toi et al, 1993), and the final aim of our study was to compare the microvessel staining abilities of these commonly used endothelial cell markers in ovarian tumours
CD34 staining was generally localized to endothelial cells; stromal staining was observed in some samples, those from benign tumours
In some of the more vascular malignant tumours and in the high vessel density regions of some of the less vascular tumours CD3 1 appeared to be localized to the endothelial cell boundary, giving the vessels a striped appearance (Figure 1)
Summary
The first aim of this study was to compare microvessel density in benign, mucinous and serous tumours and to relate this to the prognosis of these tumour types. The second aim of this study was to compare MVD in both high vessel density (HVD) and average vessel density (AVD) regions of ovarian tumours of differing prognosis. The relative abilities of these antibodies to highlight the vasculature has been examined in a number of tumours (Kuzu et al, 1992; Toi et al, 1993), and the final aim of our study was to compare the microvessel staining abilities of these commonly used endothelial cell markers in ovarian tumours
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