AIMS:

As new biomarkers are urgently needed to identify children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB), we studied the contribution of angiogenin (ANG) to angiogenesis and its association with clinicopathological and biological features and patient outcome in NB.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Ninety NBs and 12 ganglioneuromas (GNs) were immunostained for ANG and CD31. ANG expression in NB tumoral cells (ANG scores) and vessels [ANG microvascular density (MVD)] and total MVD (CD31 MVD) were determined. The ANG score was significantly greater in NBs than in GNs (P = 0.015) and in NBs from children with stage 4 tumours, high-risk disease, unfavourable pathology (P < 0.001 for each), MYCN amplification (P = 0.003), and 1p deletion (P = 0.002). ANG scores correlated with ANG MVD and CD31 MVD (P < 0.001 for each). Total ANG and CD31 protein levels, measured with a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were highly correlated (P = 0.003). High ANG scores were associated with decreased overall and event-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.025 and P = 0.018, respectively). High ANG MVD was associated with decreased overall and event-free survival (log-rank test, P = 0.009 and P = 0.026, respectively). High CD31 MVD was associated with decreased event-free survival (P = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS:

The strong correlation of ANG up-regulation with total MVD and adverse clinicopathological and biological factors indicates that ANG supports growth and progression in NB.

© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.