Endocrine Abstracts

Angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth and metastatic spread. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the most potent inducer of neovascularization, and its increased expression is associated with worse clinical outcome in many diseases. The aim of our work was to evaluate the dynamics of VEGF and CD34 molecular morphology with Follicular Epithelial Dysplasia (FED) in Thyroid neoplasm and autoimmune pathology. These markers allow accuracy distinguishing between pseudoneoplastic hypertrophy (Graves’ disease) and neoplasia (Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC)). 36 patients in equal amounts were evaluated: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) (n=12), Graves’ disease (n=12), PTC (n=12), which had undergone total thyroidectomy or lobectomy. Immunohistochemical reaction with VEGF-138 and CD34 antibody (Leica Novocastra, UK) and routine H&E diagnostic treatment were used. As a result, molecular analysis using data, obtained from Immunohistochemistry, VEGF expression was markedly lower in Graves’ disease and HT, than in PTC. But there was no significant association between CD34 expression and thyroid pathology variants. Consequently, incidence of FED correlate with VEGF activity rate. Based on the above mentioned observation, neovascularization/angiogenesis play a crucial role for the growth and metastatic spread of neoplasms and is comparable to each other. We hypothesize that the thyroid tumors in early stage of carcinogenesis (precursor lesion) is characterized by well-developed vasculo- and angiogenesis and became secondary objective of our research.