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Published on: June 15, 2020
C-KIT Expression in Orbital Cavernous Venous Hemangiomas
Mizhir Atallah1,2, Natalia Edison3, Esther Levi2
1Ophthalmology Department, Emek Medical Center, Afula 18101, Israel.
Abstract:
Orbital (slow flow) cavernous venous hemangiomas (OCVH) are the most common benign orbital tumors in adults. The c-KIT is a tyrosine kinase receptor, which is expressed on several types of cells, is thought to play a key role in tumor pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of the receptor c-KIT in OCVH. Our retrospective study examined 16 orbital cavernous venous hemangiomas from 16 cases operated on between 2006-2016 at Emek Medical Center. The mean tumor size was 18.4 mm. Symptoms appeared between 6 months and 22 years before operation. All specimens were analyzed for the c-KIT receptor through immunohistochemistry. The c-KIT was expressed by the endothelium in all 16 preparates. Staining was strong in two cases, moderate in six, and weak in eight cases, with no statistically significant correlation between staining and tumor size (p = 0.69) or the symptom duration (p = 0.15). We conclude that c-KIT may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OCVH. This pilot study is significant in that tumor-targeted therapy such as Imatinib Mesylate and Sunitinib may have a role in treating surgically complicated cases located in the orbital apex. A large multicenter collaborative study is necessary to examine the role of c-KIT in OCVH.
Insights
Orbital cavernous venous hemangiomas (OCVH) express the c-KIT receptor, suggesting its role in tumor development. This finding may inform targeted therapies for complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Orbital cavernous venous hemangiomas (OCVH) are common benign orbital tumors in adults.
- The c-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase is implicated in various tumor pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of the c-KIT receptor in OCVH.
- To explore potential therapeutic implications of c-KIT expression in OCVH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 16 OCVH cases operated between 2006-2016.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect c-KIT receptor expression in tumor specimens.
- Correlation analysis between c-KIT staining intensity and clinicopathological factors.
Main Results:
- c-KIT receptor was expressed by the endothelium in all 16 OCVH specimens.
- Staining intensity varied (strong, moderate, weak) across cases.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between c-KIT staining and tumor size or symptom duration.
Conclusions:
- c-KIT expression suggests a potential role in the pathogenesis of OCVH.
- Targeted therapies like Imatinib Mesylate and Sunitinib may be relevant for complex OCVH, particularly those in the orbital apex.
- Further multicenter studies are warranted to confirm the role of c-KIT in OCVH.
