Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, matrix metalloproteinase 9 and extravascular matrix patterns in iris and ciliary body melanomas

Purpose: It was the aim of this study to assess the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF)- A, matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP)- 9 and extravascular matrix patterns ( EMPs) in iris and ciliary body melanomas and their correlations with histopathologic parameters. Methods: The study was conducted on 3 iris and 15 ciliary body melanomas. All tumors were subjected to immunohistochemical techniques for VEGF- A and MMP- 9 expressions, the presence of EMPs was assessed, and routine paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin- eosin. Cell type, tumor localization, degree of pigmentation, necrosis, mitotic index, lymphocytic infiltration and sclera invasion were analyzed using light microscopy. Results: The mean patient age at the time of treatment was 43 years ( range 19 - 69, median 39.5); 10 ( 55.6%) patients were males and 8 ( 44.4%) females. Histopathological cell types were spindle cells in 55.6%, mixed cells in 16.7%, and epithelioid cell types in 27.8% of tumors. Positive reaction for VEGF- A and MMP- 9 was present in 66.7 and 72.3% of the tumors, respectively. Microvascular loops and/or networks were seen in 33.4% of the tumors, with the remaining 66.7% of tumors displaying one or more of the other patterns. Metastatic disease developed in only 1 patient during follow- up. Tumor cell type, tumor size, mitotic rate, degree of pigmentation and EMPs were not correlated with metastasis. Conclusions: This study suggests that VEGF- A and MMP- 9 were positive in the majority of iris and ciliary body melanomas. No correlation was found between VEGF- A and MMP- 9 immunoreactivity and EMPs and occurrence of metastases in cases of anterior uveal melanoma. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel