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The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma

Deepika Chandrasekaran¹,
Sandhya Sundaram²,
Kadhiresan N³,
Padmavathi R¹
¹Department of Physiology and ²Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, ³Department of Surgical Oncology, Apollo Specialty Cancer Hospital, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract
  • Background: Renal cell carcinoma is the most lethal urological cancer. Most patients present with metastasis. Their treatment is limited as the tumor is chemoresistant and hormone resistant. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is the key mediator of angiogenesis in cancer. Inactivation of von Hippel-Lindau gene leads to the production of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α. Following this VEGF-A becomes highly expressed in the carcinoma tissue. This results in tumorigenesis by promoting distant metastasis, uncontrolled growth, and resistance to apoptosis.
  • Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of VEGF in renal tumor cells and adjacent normal tissue and to compare the expressions of the marker with the selective risk factors.
  • Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 30 cases of histopathologically proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Ethical clearance and the necessary permission from the Pathology department of Sri Ramachandra University were obtained. VEGF was analyzed by Biotin Streptavidin Immunoperoxidase method. Q scoring was done.
  • Results: 90% of cases were VEGF positive in the tumor area, whereas the cells in the adjacent normal tissue area expressed weak staining. The clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a subtype of RCC showed strong and diffuse staining. Comparison of the VEGF Q score with the various risk factors and tumor characteristics was done, but no significant difference was found.
  • Conclusion: VEGF was strongly expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma tissue. VEGF could play a role as a potential diagnostic marker in renal cell carcinoma and could help in assessing prognosis and designing therapy.

Keywords: diagnostic marker, immunohistochemistry, renal cell carcinoma, vascular endothelial growth factor