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Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma of minor salivary glands
Author(s) -
GleberNetto Frederico Omar,
Florêncio Taynara Nunes Guedes,
de Sousa Silvia Ferreira,
Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães,
Mendonça Elismauro Francisco,
Aguiar Maria Cássia Ferreira
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2012.01153.x
Subject(s) - mucoepidermoid carcinoma , lymphangiogenesis , angiogenesis , pathology , medicine , metastasis , lymphatic system , lymphatic vessel , carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , cancer , cancer research
J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41 : 603–609 Background: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of salivary glands. This tumor is characterized by a great variability in clinical behavior, and little is known about the pathological mechanisms involved in its variance. Angiogenesis is an important step in tumor progression and is believed to be an essential event for metastatic dissemination. Methods: We aimed to investigate angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in mucoepidermoid carcinoma measuring the density of neoformed and lymphatic vessels using CD105 and D2‐40 antibodies, respectively, and by immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C proteins. It was also investigated the expression of D2‐40 in neoplastic cells. Results: We studied 26 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, which showed great angiogenic activity measured by neoformed vessel density. However, a low density of lymphatics was observed. VEGF‐A, VEGF‐C, and D2‐40 were commonly detected in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, but only VEGF‐A expression correlated with neoformed vessel density. Recurrence and nodal metastasis were associated with low VEGF‐A expression and low neoformed vessel density, indicating that impaired angiogenesis could lead to an aggressive phenotype. Conclusions: Angiogenesis seems important in the modulation of mucoepidermoid carcinoma pathogenesis; however, none of the parameters analyzed could predict tumor behavior.