Assessment of angiogenesis using endoglin in salivary gland tumors - An immunohistochemical study

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and therapeutics 2022-07, Vol.18 (3), p.623-628
• Main Authors: Gaonkar, Pratyusha, Patankar, Sangeeta, Sridharan, Gokul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Development and progression; Exocrine glands; Growth factor receptors; Health aspects; Oral cancer; Physiological aspects; Prognosis; Salivary gland tumors; Transforming growth factors; Tumors
• ISSN: 0973-1482; 1998-4138
• DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_8_21

Background: Endoglin, a co-receptor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2, is indispensable for endothelial cell proliferation and modulation of tumor promotion activities of TGF-β1. The assessment of neovascularization using endoglin expression has been considered a potential predictor of prognosis in various solid malignancies. Aims and Objectives: To analyze the expression of endoglin by immunohistochemistry in both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Materials and Methods: Fifteen cases of benign salivary gland tumors and seventeen cases of malignant salivary gland tumors were included in the study, and immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-CD105 antibody using standard protocol. Results and Conclusion: The study demonstrated that there is increased endoglin expression in malignant tumors as compared to their benign counterparts which is suggestive of increased angiogenic activity in tumor areas and could be responsible for the aggressive behavior of the malignancies. The highest density of endoglin-positive blood vessels was observed in the inflammatory tumor stromal areas. Furthermore, a significant increase in endoglin expression was evident as the grade of malignant salivary gland tumor increased. The results of the study indicate that the increased expression of endoglin in high-grade malignancies contributes to their aggressive nature.