pmc logo imageJournal ListSearchpmc logo image
Logo of skullbaseSkull Base JournalInstructions for AuthorsSubscribe to Skull BaseAbout Skull BaseEditorial BoardThieme Medical Publishing
Skull Base. 2008 November; 18(6): 377–384.
Prepublished online 2008 October 29. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1096198.
PMCID: PMC2637072
Immunohistochemical Investigation of Hormone Receptors and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Vestibular Schwannoma
Dustin M. Dalgorf, B.Sc., M.D.,1 Corwyn Rowsell, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., F.C.A.P.,2 Juan M. Bilbao, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.,2 and Joseph M. Chen, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C)1
1University of Toronto, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario
2University of Toronto, Department of Neuropathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Onatario
Address for correspondence and reprint requests: Dustin Dalgorf M.D. Resident Physician, University of Toronto, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave, Suite M102, Toronto, Onatrio, Canada M4N 3M5, Email: dustin.dalgorf/at/utoronto.ca
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine if a relationship exists between the presence of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the size, growth rate, and behavior of vestibular schwannoma tumors. Design: Nine tumor samples from young female patients with large vestibular schwannoma tumors were preselected because they were presumed to be faster growing, more aggressive tumors. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using monoclonal mouse antibodies to ER, PR, and VEGF. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 32.3 years, mean tumor size was 3.2 cm, and the average growth rate was 0.4 cm per 2 months. The results of immunohistochemical staining for ER and PR in all nine samples were unequivocally negative. Eight of nine tumor samples stained positive for VEGF, with five demonstrating low intensity and three demonstrating moderate intensity staining. Conclusions: There is histopathological evidence for the expression of VEGF in vestibular schwannomas but not for ER and PR. Further studies are necessary to determine the role of VEGF and other molecular pathways in the growth of vestibular schwannomas and the application of anti-VEGF therapy as a potential treatment option in the future.
Keywords: Vestibular schwannoma, acoustic neuroma, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, immunohistochemistry