Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA in Ovarian Neoplasm and Its Clinical Significance

Objective To investigate the expression of subtypes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in ovarian neoplasm and its clinical significance. Methods From January 2000 to June 2004, tumor samples from 54 cases (research group) of ovarian malignant tumor were recruited into this study. Among them, ovarian epithelial carcinoma was 41 cases, and non-epithelial carcinoma was 13 (control group). The expressions of VEGF mRNA subtypes in ovarian malignant tumor and controls were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, an antibody to von willebrand factor (F8) was used to detect tumor microvessel density (MVD). The study protocol was approved by Beijing General Army Hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results ①The expression positive rates of VEGF 121, VEGF 165 in ovarian malignant were significantly higher than those in benign tumor and normal control (P 0.05). ③The positive expression rate of VEGF 189 in patients with lymph node metastasis and omentum involvement were significantly higher than those in non-lymph node metastasis and normal omentum (P<0.05). ④There was a close relationship between VEGF 189 expression and microvessel density in ovarian malignant (P=0.003). Conclusion The expression of VEGF 121, 165 were correlated with the carcinogenesis and progress of ovarian malignant. VEGF 189 might be a biomarker for the status of ovarian carcinomas present in invasion and metastasis. VEGF 189 plays an important role in the angiogenesis of ovarian malignant. Key words: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); microvessel density (MVD); ovarian neoplasm; invasion; metastasis