Medical Sciences
VEGF-A Immunohistochemical Expression Across Appendiceal Epithelial Lesions: A Retrospective Exploratory Study
By Ante Tavra, Marina Ćaleta Rade, Toni Čeprnja and 6 others.
Abstract
Background
Appendiceal epithelial lesions are rare and heterogeneous. Evidence regarding vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression in localized appendiceal lesions is limited. We compared VEGF-A immunoreactivity across diagnostic subtypes and explored associations with histological features.
Methods
This retrospective exploratory study included 73 appendiceal neoplastic epithelial lesions. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was assessed for predominant VEGF-A staining intensity and percentage of positive neoplastic epithelial cells. Their product was reported as a modified immunoreactivity score (0–300). Permutation-based nonparametric tests, Benjamini–Hochberg correction, diagnosis-adjusted sensitivity analyses, and interobserver agreement analyses were used.