Summary:
Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare neoplasms, characterized by variable
histologic subtypes. Their pathogenesis has not yet been fully understood. This
study examined the expression of flt-4, VEGF-C and VEGF-D in the most common
benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.
The aim of this study was (a) to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of
VEGF-C, VEGF-D and flt-4 in salivary gland tumors with and without
myoepithelial differentiation, (b) to assess the model of combined
immunohistochemical expression of these antibodies and their possible role as
markers of myoepithelial differentiation in salivary gland tumors, (c) to
examine any correlation amongst these immunomarkers, as well as any correlation
with a specific histologic subtype.
Thirty-one salivary gland tumors (19 with and 12 without myoepithelial
differentiation) were examined. The chi-square distribution and the Pearson
correlation were applied.
All pleomorphic adenomas (PA) exhibited a statistically significant
co-expression of the three antibodies (r = 0,609, p <0,001). The markers p63
and SMA were strongly expressed in the same areas as VEGF-C, VEGF-D and flt-4.
A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found in the group of
tumors with myoepithelial differentiation regarding simultaneous positive
staining for VEGF-C, VEGF-D and flt-4 (p = 0,038) (OR: 5,14, 95% CI: 1,09 –
23,81). The cells responsible for the strong expression of the three markers in
PAs are myoepithelial cells. Co-expression of flt-4 and its ligands in all PAs
suggests the presence of a dominant VEGF-C/VEGF-D/flt-4 axis in this tumor.
Keywords:
Salivary glands, Immunohistochemistry, Lymphangionesis, Neoplasms, VEGF
