RU 19. Relationship of STAT3, VEGF and MVD expression in adrenal cortical carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) as well as to discuss their clinical significance.

Methods: 37 adrenal cortical neoplasm specimens resected from patients were divided into two groups, 20 in the benign group and 17 in the malignant group (adrenal cortical carcinoma, ACC group). The expressions of STAT3, VEGF and MVD were detected by immunohistochemical staining.

Results: STAT3 was highly expressed in ACC group (11/17, 64.71%), lowly in benign group (4/20, 20.00%), with significant difference noted (P<0.05); VEGF staining was seen in 70.59% (12/17) of the malignant cases versus 25.00% (5/20) of the benign, with significant difference noted (P<0.01); MVD in adrenocortical carcinoma was higher than those in adrenocortical adenoma (76.40±15.64 vs. 21.05±8.07), with significant difference (P<0.05). STAT3 expression both in benign and malignant adrenal neoplasm were positively correlated with VEGF, and VEGF expression were positively correlated with MVD.

Conclusions: The high expression of STAT3, VEGF in ACC contribute to tumor angiogenesis. We provide the theoretical evidence for anti-angiogenesis regime in ACC.