[Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in cerebral neoplasms].

Angiogenesis plays an important role in growth of neoplasm. Among a variety of proangiogenic agents, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is regarded as a crucial mediator of tumour angiogenesis. It acts in a paracrine way through the receptors localised in endothelial cells. Many authors maintain that rich vasculature of the neoplasm is associated with its malignant nature. The aim of this study was to examine the relations between expression of VEGF and features of malignancy of brain tumours. Sixty-seven samples of brain tumours were examined: 17 meningiomas, 34 gliomas and 16 metastases to the central nervous system. Expression of VEGF was estimated by radioimmune assay. The authors confirmed the presence of this factor in all types of tumours but the highest concentration of VEGF was found in high-grade gliomas.