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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Mark D Wilkie1,2, Maxine S Emmett1, Shilpa Santosh3
1Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Background:
Alternative splicing of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene results in a family of antiangiogenic isoforms (VEGFxxx b), not yet investigated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We examined, therefore, the prognostic value of the relative expression of VEGF isoforms in SCCHN.
Methods:
A tissue microarray comprising 187 SCCHNs was studied by immunohistochemistry with total VEGF (panVEGF) and VEGFxxx b-specific antibodies, and scored by 2 assessors for intensity and proportion. Scores were combined and expression ratios calculated.
Results:
No meaningful significant differences were observed between panVEGF, VEGFxxx b, or expression ratio, and presence of lymphatic metastasis, or overall survival. This held true when tumor subsites were analyzed independently and when human papillomavirus (HPV) was accounted for in the oropharyngeal subgroup.
Conclusion:
Differential VEGF isoform expression is not a reliable prognostic biomarker for either the clinically node negative/pathologically node-positive neck or overall survival in pharyngeal and laryngeal SCCHNs.
Insights
Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms is not a reliable prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN). VEGF isoform ratios did not correlate with metastasis or survival outcomes in SCCHN patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Alternative splicing of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene produces antiangiogenic isoforms (VEGFxxx b).
- The prognostic value of VEGF isoforms in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remains uninvestigated.
- This study addresses the potential of VEGF isoforms as biomarkers in SCCHN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of relative vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
- To determine if differential expression of VEGF isoforms correlates with lymphatic metastasis or overall survival in SCCHN.
Main Methods:
- A tissue microarray of 187 SCCHN samples was analyzed using immunohistochemistry.
- Both total VEGF (panVEGF) and VEGFxxx b-specific antibodies were employed.
- Immunohistochemical scores were combined to calculate expression ratios for prognostic analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found between panVEGF, VEGFxxx b, or their expression ratio and the presence of lymphatic metastasis.
- VEGF isoform expression did not show a significant correlation with overall survival in SCCHN patients.
- These findings remained consistent across different tumor subsites and when accounting for human papillomavirus (HPV) status in the oropharyngeal subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms is not a reliable prognostic biomarker in pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
- VEGF isoform expression does not predict the status of the neck lymph nodes or patient survival.
- The study concludes that VEGF isoforms lack prognostic utility for SCCHN.
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