Blood vessel maturation in retinoblastoma tumors: Spatial distribution of neovessels and mature vessels and its impact on ocular treatment

Yolanda Piña, Hinda Boutrid, Amy Schefler, Sander Dubovy, William Feuer, Maria Elena Jockovich, Timothy G. Murray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the spatial distribution of neovessels versus mature vessels in both human retinoblastoma (RB) and LHBETATAG tumors, assess similarities and differences between the animal model and the human RB specimens, and determine whether vessel maturation is associated with risk factors for metastasis. METHODS. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on human (n = 10) and LHBETATAG (n = 11) enucleation specimens to evaluate the spatial distribution of neovessels and mature vessels. In human RB, vessel maturation was correlated with treatment history and metastatic risk factors. RESULTS. In human RB, the percentage of neovessels was higher in the periphery of the tumor than in the center (P = 0.021). This finding was mostly attributed to the distribution of large-caliber vessels (i.e., neovessels were higher in the periphery for large [P = 0.050]- and medium [P = 0.032]-caliber vessels; and mature vessels were higher in the center for large-caliber vessels [P = 0.032]). In this small series, vessel maturation did not correlate with risk for metastasis. Similar results were observed in LHBETATAG tumors. The percentage of large-caliber neovessels was higher in the periphery than in the center (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS. There is a spatially distributed, heterogeneous vessel population containing neovessels and mature vessels in advanced RB disease. There is a significantly higher concentration of mature, large-caliber vessels in the center of tumors that is similar in human RB and LHBETATAG retinal tumors. From these data the authors hypothesize that tumor vessel maturation in RB initiates in central regions of the tumor and radiates toward the periphery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1020-1024
Number of pages5
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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