Study Links Oxygen Levels And Angiogenesis In Prostate Cancer

Science Daily —A new study demonstrates a significant association between a lack of oxygen in prostate cancer cells and the increased expression of the angiogenesis marker, endothelial growth factor or VEGF. The Fox Chase Cancer Center study was presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass.

The lack of oxygen, called hypoxia, in tumor cells has been shown to correlate, not only with poor response to radiotherapy, but also to tumor aggressiveness....

In the study, the oxygen levels in prostate tumor cells were measured in 13 men undergoing radical prostatectomy. Each tumor comprised approximately 100 separate oxygen readings. Tumor tissue from the prostatectomy specimens was then analyzed to measure the level of VEGF. Using a published methodology, two independent observers (blinded to the oxygen data) scored the percent of cells staining positive for VEGF and the staining intensity. The significance of associations between oxygen levels and VEGF staining was determined by Pearson correlation.

"The blinded comparison of oxygen levels and VEGF staining intensity reveals a clear link between increasing hypoxia and VEGF," said Benjamin Movsas, M.D., director of clinical radiotherapy research at Fox Chase. "These findings support examining anti-angiogenic strategies in treating prostate cancer."

Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of the nation's first comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute in 1974, conducts basic and clinical research; programs of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center's web site at: http://www.fccc.edu.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Fox Chase Cancer Center.