Microvessel density assessment in benign and malignant endometrial changes

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Pathology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Tumor angiogenesis, indicated by microvessel density (MVD), is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
• Endothelial markers like CD34 are used to assess MVD and influence prognosis in endometrial carcinoma.
• CD105 (endoglin) preferentially binds to proliferating endothelial cells, suggesting its potential role in assessing angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of anti-CD34 and anti-CD105 antibodies in quantifying MVD in endometrial lesions.
• To evaluate MVD changes in women with benign and malignant endometrial conditions.
• To determine the correlation between MVD, menopausal status, clinical stage, and histological grade in endometrial cancer.

Main Methods:

• The study included 58 women with normal, hyperplastic, or malignant endometrium.
• Preoperative transvaginal sonography was performed, followed by histological analysis of endometrial tissue.
• Microvessel density was assessed in "hot areas" using anti-CD34 and anti-CD105 antibodies.

Main Results:

• Median MVD assessed with CD105 was 10.4 and with CD34 was 32.3.
• CD34 MVD was significantly higher in endometrial cancer patients (41.8) compared to benign cases (27.6) (p=0.004).
• CD105 MVD also showed significant differences between malignant (11.8) and benign (6.4) endometrial changes (p=0.00007).
• Menopausal status correlated significantly with both CD34 and CD105 MVD, but not clinical stage or grade.
• A strong correlation was found between CD34 and CD105 measured MVD (p=0.000001).

Conclusions:

• Microvessel density changes are associated with the transition from endometrial hyperplasia to endometrial cancer.
• Both CD34 and CD105 assessed MVD can serve as potential prognostic factors in endometrial cancer.
• CD105 may be a more specific and sensitive marker for tumor neoangiogenesis compared to CD34.