Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) In Ugandan Colorectal Cancer Patients

Wismayer R, Kiwanuka J, Jombwe J, Elobu E, Wabinga H and Odida M

Published on: 2024-07-12

Abstract

Introduction: In Uganda, data from the Kampala Cancer Registry has shown an increase in the incidence of CRC cases in this region with patients presenting at a younger age and an advanced stage. A relationship between tumour growth, distant metastasis and a poor prognosis with an increased expression of VEGF has been reported in studies. The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation of VEGF with the clinicopathological characteristics of Ugandan patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was carried out on fifty-two patients’ paraffin embedded tissue blocks of CRC between 2008-2021. VEGF expression was detected using the indirect immunoperoxidase method which used monoclonal antibody VEGF, DAKO Agilent USA, Clone VG1 and reference M7273. The haematoxylin and eosin stain was used to evaluate the grade, lymphovascular invasion status and histopathological subtypes of CRC. The demographic data, staging and topography of the tumours was obtained from the clinical patients’ files and the Kampala Cancer Registry.

Results: Out of fifty two CRC participants, there were 7(43.7%) participants with stage IV disease compared to 2(12.5%) with stage I disease and this reached statistical significance (p=0.0479). There were 11(68.8%) participants with grade II disease compared to 2(12.5%) with grade I disease from those that stained positively for VEGF (p=0.0012). Classical adenocarcinoma constituted 13(81.3%) participants compared to 3(18.8%) mucinous adenocarcinomas and signet ring colorectal carcinoma from those that stained positively for VEGF (p=0.0000). CRC grading was negatively correlated with VEGF-1 expression (r=-0.0565) (p=0.7091).

Conclusions: There was a tendency to increase the expression of VEGF with increasing stage of CRC. The presence of metastasis was significantly associated with increasing expression of VEGF-1 and hence a poor prognosis. In Uganda, there is need for more efficient medical treatments using combinations of anti-VEGF and chemotherapy treatment for colorectal cancer.