Autophagy and Neovascularization in Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: This study aims to determinate the microvessel density at the base of the tumor, as well in tumor’s mass, in order to determinate the number of neovascularization vessels (marked with CD105) in comparison with presence or absence of autophagy puncta. Material/Methods: Standard immunohistochemistry was performed on 38 samples of colorectal adenocarcinoma, in order to determinate the presence of autophagy and neovascularization blood vessels with the help of LC3, CD34, CD31 and CD105 antibodies. Results: The autophagy process was observed in the cancerous cells and was noted as present in both regions of interest from the tumor. The mean number of blood vessels market with CD105 is higher in tumor mass then at its base, p value of the Student t test being highly significant (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The presence of autophagy puncta was notice in every case, both in the mass of the tumor and at its base. Microvascular density of new-grown blood vessels is higher in the mass of the tumor compared with the base of the tumor.