Molecular biological research of growth factors on pediatric solid tumors

目的：本研究旨在探讨血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）及其受体Flk-1在神经母细胞瘤中的表达和定位，以探讨VEGF在神经母细胞瘤发生发展中的作用。晚期13例，早期7例。采用抗VEGF和抗Flk-1单克隆抗体进行免疫组化。通过Ki-67表达评价肿瘤的增殖活性。结果：VEGF和Flk-1在神经母细胞瘤细胞胞浆和内皮细胞中均有表达，且表达强度与肿瘤的增殖活性、分期及转移有关。晚期胃癌中的表达明显高于早期胃癌。VEGF和Flk-1的表达与肿瘤增殖无明显关系。VEGF、Flk-1的表达与神经母细胞瘤的局部浸润无关，而与淋巴结转移、骨转移有关。抗血管生成药物对晚期神经母细胞瘤可能有效。

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression and location of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor Flk-1 in neuroblastoma in order to elucidate the effect of VEGF in the progression of neuroblastoma.Materials and Methods : Twenty neuroblastomas were enrolled in this study. Thirteen were in advanced stage, and 7 were in early stage. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-VEGF, and anti-Flk-1 monoclonal antibody. Proliferative activity of the tumor was evaluated by expression of Ki-67. Relation between VEGF, Flk-1 expression and proliferation activity, stage, and metastasis was evaluated.Results : VEGF and Flk-1 expressed in the cytoplasm of neuroblastoma cells and endothelium. Their expression was significantly higher in the advanced stage than in the early stage. There was no significant relation between VEGF or Flk-1 expression and tumor proliferation. VEGF and Flk-1 expression had no relation with local invasion, whereas there was significant relation between VEGF, Flk-1 expression and lymphnode metastasis, and bone metastasis.Conclusions : These results indicates that VEGF may play an important role in the progression of neuroblastoma, especially in tumor metastasis. Anti-vascularization agent may be effective in the advanced neuroblastoma.