Angiogenic Characteristics of Radiological Hypervascular Liver Tumors (NET, Hepatocellular Carcinoma) and Hypovascular Colorectal Liver Metastases and Their Microenvironment.

#618

Introduction: Tumor and microenvironment are important for tumor progression. Liver tumors can be hypervascular or hypovascular during the arterial phase of cross-sectional imaging.

Aim(s): Hypothesis: Expression of angiogenic molecules of the VEGF-family and Angiopoietin/Tie-2 system in tumor and microenvironment are (1) comparable in two types of hypervascular liver tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and neuroendocrine liver metastases (GEP-NETM)), and (2) are lower in hypovascular colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) than in hypervascular GEP-NETM.

Materials and methods: Resection specimens of GEP-NETM (n=10), HCC (n=15), and CRLM (n=15) were analyzed for gene expression of CD31, and members of the VEGF-family and Angiopoietin/Tie-2 system using qRT-PCR in tumors and adjacent liver parenchyma. Gene expression levels of endothelial restricted molecules were normalized for vascular density using CD31mRNA levels. Cellular localization was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Conference: 10th Annual ENETSConcerence (2013)

Presenting Author: de Jong K

Authors: Van der Wal G, Gouw A, Moorlag H, Bulthuis M, Molema G,

Keywords: angiogenesis, VEGF, Angiopoietin, CT imaging,