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Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines
Published on: April 21, 2022
Placenta growth factor expression has prognostic value in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Eugenio Pompeo1, Loredana Albonici, Elena Doldo
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. pompeo@med.uniroma2.it
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|July 28, 2009
Summary
Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma and is linked to shorter survival after extrapleural pneumonectomy, suggesting its role in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with high recurrence rates.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members are implicated in mesothelioma progression.
- Placenta growth factor (PlGF), a VEGF family member, has not been studied in mesothelioma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PlGF expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- To determine the prognostic value of PlGF in patients undergoing extrapleural pneumonectomy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PlGF and its receptor expression in 27 mesothelioma, 14 reactive mesothelium, and 10 normal mesothelium samples.
- Semiquantitative scoring (0-3) evaluated staining intensity.
- Expression of VEGF receptor 1, neuropilin-1, and neuropilin-2 was also assessed.
Main Results:
- PlGF was significantly overexpressed in mesothelioma compared to reactive mesothelium (41% vs 7%, p=0.03).
- PlGF was not detected in normal mesothelium.
- Higher PlGF expression inversely correlated with patient survival (R=-0.45, p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- PlGF is overexpressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- PlGF expression levels are associated with poorer prognosis after extrapleural pneumonectomy.
- PlGF may play a critical role in mesothelioma recurrence and progression.
