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ngiogenesis is involved in tumor progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we have investigated by immunohistochemistry vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in tumor cells and we have correlated VEGF expression to microvessel area, evaluated by using CD105 as a marker of endothelial cells, in bioptic specimens of 54 human OSCC. Results demonstrated that VEGF is highly expressed in OSCC tumor specimens when compared to pre-neoplastic and normal tissues, without differences between the edge and inside the tumor. Moreover, VEGF expression is reduced in poor differentiated OSCC tumors when compared to moderate and good differentiated forms, and tumor microvessel area is higher in tumors when compared to pre-neoplastic lesions and normal tissues. Finally, VEGF and CD105 may be considered as reliable markers of tumor angiogenesis and progression in OSCC, even if we did not demonstrate any correlation between VEGF expression, tumor microvascular area, clinical stage, and lymph node status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the development and dissemination of colorectal cancer. In advanced stages this malignancy has a poor prognosis due to the inefficacy of the existent treatment and at this point the outcome cannot be completely predicted by common prognostic factors such as lymph node involvement, tumor size or local extension of the disease. For the management of these patients, a vast number of studies about appropriate biomarkers have been reported and they have been classified into prognostic biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, pharmacodynamic biomarkers and surrogate endpoints. The evaluation of prognostic biomarkers using immunohistochemistry, is increasingly used in the histopathologic diagnosis, having the potential to predict responsiveness to standard chemotherapy or novel molecular targeted therapy. The aim of this article is to address current immunohistochemical angiogenesis-based prognostic markers for patients with colorectal cancer, to summarize their current state and to discuss future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor vascular perfusion pattern in gastric cancer (GC) may be an important prognostic factor with therapeutic implications. Non-invasive methods such as dynamic contrast harmonic imaging endoscopic ultrasound (CHI-EUS) may provide details about tumor perfusion and could also lay out another perspective for angiogenesis assessment. Methods: We included 34 patients with GC, adenocarcinoma, with CHI-EUS examinations that were performed before any treatment decision. We analyzed eighty video sequences with a dedicated software for quantitative analysis of the vascular patterns of specific regions of interest (ROI). As a result, time-intensity curve (TIC) along with other derived parameters were automatically generated: peak enhancement (PE), rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), wash-in perfusion index (WiPI), ROI area, and others. We performed CD105 and CD31 immunostaining to calculate the vascular diameter (vd) and the microvascular density (MVD), and the results were compared with CHI-EUS parameters. Results: High statistical correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between TIC analysis parameters MVD and vd CD31. Strong correlations were also found between tumor grade and 7 CHI-EUS parameters, p < 0.005. Conclusions: GC angiogenesis assessment by CHI-EUS is feasible and may be considered for future studies based on TIC analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]