VEGF Expression to Support Targeted Therapy in Ovarian Surface Epithelial Neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a promoter of angiogenesis, is a promising target for anti-angiogenic therapy in ovarian cancer. In our study, we examined the expression of VEGF in the spectrum of epithelial ovarian neoplasms (benign, borderline and malignant) by Immunohistochemistry (IHC).

AIM: Diagnosing ovarian epithelial neoplasms, examining the expression of VEGF in benign, borderline and malignant neoplasms and correlating it with histological grade and stage of malignant cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, observational study where, total of 50 cases of surface epithelial ovarian neoplasms were examined for expression of VEGF by IHC. Scoring for VEGF expression was done for each case.

RESULTS: A total of 42 of the 50 cases (84%) showed VEGF expression. Out of the 42 positive cases, 19 were high VEGF expressors and 23 were low VEGF expressors. VEGF expression was significantly higher in carcinomas as compared to benign and borderline neoplasms (p=<0.001). All neoplasms of serous morphology were positive for VEGF. High VEGF expression was significantly associated with high grade (p=0.003) and stage (p=0.001) of disease.

CONCLUSION: Ovarian surface epithelial neoplasms significantly express VEGF. Though, some VEGF expression was noted in benign and some borderline neoplasms, high VEGF expression was noted only in carcinomas and one case of borderline serous papillary tumour. Thus, these results suggest that epithelial ovarian tumours are candidates for VEGF targeting therapy as most of them are dependent on VEGF for progression.