VEGF and bFGF expression and microvessel density of maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma in relation to p53 status, spontaneous apoptosis and prognosis.

We have previously reported that p53 mutations, loss of bax expression or decreased spontaneous tumor apoptosis were associated with poorer prognoses in maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)(Cancer 94: 1968-1980, 2002). In the present study, we analyzed tumor angiogenesis monitored by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and tumor microvessel density, in correlation with p53 status, spontaneous apoptosis or disease prognosis in the same group of 70 maxillary sinus SCC patients. Tumor biopsy specimens obtained prior to initiation of treatment were examined for expression of VEGF and bFGF and tumor microvessel density using immunohistological methods. Average vessel density (AVD) (range: 3-75; median: 25) and maximum vessel density (MVD) (range: 4-125; median: 53) were assessed by the number of microvessels stained with anti-CD31 mAb in tumor lesions. VEGF was expressed in 35 (50%) of 70 patients and bFGF was in 43 (61%). Patients with VEGF expression showed significantly higher levels of MVD than those without VEGF expression (57 vs. 38; P=0.019). The VEGF expression was observed more frequently in patients with p53 overexpression and/or mutation than in those with normal p53 status (P=0.048). The MVD inversely correlated with the apoptotic index (AI) defined as the number of single stranded (ss)-DNA-positive cells per 1000 tumor cells (r= -0.23; P=0.022). Patients with neck lymph node and/or distant metastases after surgery showed significantly higher levels of MVD than patients without any metastasis (64 vs. 42; P=0.048). Low histological effectiveness of radiochemotherapy correlated with bFGF expression (P=0.0059). To clarify actual prognostic factors for maxillary sinus SCC, we selected 57 patients treated uniformly with preoperative radiochemotherapy followed by maxillectomy. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that survival was significantly worse in patients with high MVD (> or =80) than in those with low MVD (<80) (P=0.042). These data suggest that the VEGF expression in association with the p53 overexpression and/or mutations may cause increased microvascularity, decreased spontaneous apoptosis or metastases, while the bFGF expression may be associated with resistance to radiochemotherapy, thereby resulting in poorer prognoses in maxillary sinus SCC. VEGF and bFGF expression and tumor microvessel density in tumor lesions were analyzed in 70 patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma. The VEGF expression dependent of p53 overexpression and/or mutations was associated with angiogenesis, decreased spontaneous tumor apoptosis and metastases, while the bFGF expression was associated with resistance to radiochemotherapy, resulting in poor prognosis.