VEGF and PCNA gene expression and their correlation with microvessel density in human osteosarcoma tissue

Aim: To study the significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF ) and PCNA gene expression and the angiogenesis of osteosarcoma.Methods:Thirty patients with osteosarcoma(OST),including 15 cases of GradeⅠand 15 cases of GradeⅡ+Ⅲ, were followed up for 4 years,and 17 died(death group ) and 13 were alive(survival group).The fresh specimens of OST tissue from the patients and 15 specimens of normal osseous tissue(NOT) were obtained. Immunohistochemical S-P method was used to investigate microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of VEGF and PCNA gene.Results:There were significant differences in VEGF protein expression, MVD,and PCNA labelling-index (LI) between NOT and OST, GradeⅠgroup and GradeⅡ+Ⅲ group, death group and survival group, respectively.Significant difference in MVD was found between VEGF positive and VEGF negative OST tissue,PCNA higher expression and PCNA lower expression OST tissue. Conclusion:VEGF,MVD and PCNA LI can be regarded as tumor marker to evaluate the pathological grades and prognosis of osteosarcoma.