The Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor‐β Associates With Angiogenesis in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

The object of this study was to clarify the association between microvessel density and clinicopathologic factors, as well as the association of angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β]) with tumor angiogenesis and patient survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. The expression of VEGF and TGF-β was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in 60 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The microvessel density, assessed by immunostaining for factor VIII-related antigen in the most neovascularized areas, varied depending on histological types but not on International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage. Patients with stage III carcinomas and positive TGF-β had more extensive peritoneal dissemination and a worse outcome. The microvessel density of VEGF-rich and TGF-β positive tumors was significantly higher than that of VEGF-poor and TGF-β negative tumors. Angiogenesis appears to be an early event in epithelial ovarian cancer and may be induced differently in tumors of different histological types. The expression of VEGF and TGF-β associates with the promotion of angiogenesis, and the expression of TGF-β is a prognostic indicator in epithelial ovarian cancers.