Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Implantation of Fibrin Gel on Mouse Lung to Study Lung-specific Angiogenesis
07:52

Implantation of Fibrin Gel on Mouse Lung to Study Lung-specific Angiogenesis

Published on: December 21, 2014

Fibroblast growth factor 2 orchestrates angiogenic networking in non-GIST STS patients

Thomas K Kilvaer1, Andrej Valkov, Sveinung W Sorbye

  • 1Institute of Medical Biology, University of Tromso, PB 9037, Tromso, Norway. Kilvaer@gmail.com

Journal of Translational Medicine
|July 8, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), alone or with PDGF-B and VEGFR-3, indicates poor prognosis in non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor soft-tissue sarcoma (non-GIST STS) patients. This finding aids in predicting survival outcomes for these rare cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor soft-tissue sarcomas (non-GIST STSs) are aggressive and heterogeneous cancers.
  • Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), FGFR-1, PDGF-B, and VEGFR-3 are implicated in tumor angiogenesis.
  • Understanding the prognostic markers in non-GIST STSs is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prognostic significance of FGF2 and FGFR-1 in non-GIST STSs.
  • To explore the combined prognostic impact of FGF2 with PDGF-B and VEGFR-3.
  • To identify reliable biomarkers for predicting disease-specific survival in non-GIST STS patients.

Main Methods:

  • Tumor samples from 108 non-GIST STS patients were analyzed.
  • Tissue microarrays were constructed for comprehensive analysis.
  • Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression levels of FGF2, FGFR-1, PDGF-B, and VEGFR-3.

Main Results:

  • High FGF2 expression was a significant independent predictor of poor disease-specific survival (P = 0.024).
  • Co-expression of FGF2 with PDGF-B showed a strong association with poor prognosis (overall P = 0.007; high co-expression HR = 6.0).
  • Co-expression of FGF2 with VEGFR-3 also indicated poorer survival outcomes (high co-expression P = 0.028, HR = 2.6).

Conclusions:

  • FGF2 is a significant negative prognosticator in non-GIST STSs.
  • The co-expression patterns of FGF2 with PDGF-B and VEGFR-3 further refine prognostic predictions.
  • These findings highlight FGF2-related pathways as potential therapeutic targets in non-GIST STSs.

More Related Videos

Simple Establishment of a Vascularized Osteogenic Bone Marrow Niche Using Pre-Cast Poly(ethylene Glycol) (PEG) Hydrogels in an Imaging Microplate10:32

Simple Establishment of a Vascularized Osteogenic Bone Marrow Niche Using Pre-Cast Poly(ethylene Glycol) (PEG) Hydrogels in an Imaging Microplate

Published on: May 19, 2023

Modified In Vivo Matrix Gel Plug Assay for Angiogenesis Studies09:03

Modified In Vivo Matrix Gel Plug Assay for Angiogenesis Studies

Published on: June 30, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...