Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblastic growth factor, and microvessel density and their relation to cell proliferation in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblastic growth factor (b-FGF) have been described as essential cytokines in the regulation of angiogenesis. Their elevation has been associated with an unfavorable outcome in different neoplasms. However, their role in angiogenesis and proliferation in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) is unclear. Seventy cases of B-NHL besides 5 cases with reactive lymphadenitis were collected randomly and classified according to World Health Organization classification, Ann Arbor staging. They were subjected to immunostaining using VEGF, b-FGF, CD34, and Ki67 markers. There were a positive correlation between the proliferation and aggressiveness of the tumor as measured with Ki67 and both VEGF and b-FGF, and this was reflected on the stromal increase in microvessel density as measured by CD34. In conclusion, as the tumor becomes more aggressive, it also becomes independent of stromal paracrine factors by the establishment of an autocrine VEGF and b-FGF stimulation that can increase its angiogenesis and proliferation.