Different Expression And Significance Of PCNA And VEGF In Pheochromocytoma And Paraganglioma

Objective To investigate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma,and to evaluate whether the expression of PCNA and VEGF could serve as diagnostic markers for predicting the biological behaviour of these tumours.Methods Expression of PCNA and VEGF was determined by immunohistochemistry in 44 pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas(29 benign, 15 malignant)and 8 normal adrenal medulla samples.Results PCNA was expressed in 15/15 malignant tumors as compared with 18/29 benign tumours.Malignant tumors expressed more PCNA(P＜0.05, respectively)than benign tumors.VEGF was expressed in 11/15 malignant tumors and 16/29 benign tumours.There was no a statistical difference in VEGF expression between malignant and benign tumors.None of the eight samples of normal adrenal medulla was positive for PCNA or VEGF.There was no a statistically significant positive correlation among PCNA and VEGF expression in terms of clinical factors such as sex,size,blood pressure.PCNA expression was correlated with VEGF(r_s=0.826,P＜0.001)expression.Conclusion PCNA expression is closely correlated with VEGF expression.PCNA expression by immunohistochemistry is a useful tool to differentiate malignant from benign phaeochromocytomas/paragangliomas. VEGF isn't a useful tool to differentiate malignant from benign phaeochromocytomas/paragangliomas.VEGF expression may reflect the proliferating activity of the tumor cell in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.