%0 Journal Article %A DIANA COSTA %A RITA FERREIRA %A JUSTINA PRADA %A FELISBINA LUISA QUEIROGA %A PAULA RODRIGUES %A FILIPE SILVA %A ISABEL PIRES %T A Role for Angiogenesis in Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma Regression: Insights into an Old Clinical Enigma %D 2020 %R 10.21873/invivo.12165 %J In Vivo %P 3279-3284 %V 34 %N 6 %X Background/Aim: Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma (CCH) is a Langerhans' cells benign tumour that undergoes spontaneous regression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of angiogenesis, a key step for tumour development, in CCH regression. Materials and Methods: 50 CCH samples were classified into 4 histological groups according to a regression scale, and evaluated for expression of vascular endothelial factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptor VEGFR-2 as well as microvessel density (MVD). Results: Tumours during early stages of the regressive process had a lower MVD compared to later stages, while CCH tumoural cells showed a limited production of VEGF, but higher levels of VEGFR-2. On the contrary, tumours in advanced phases of regression showed a higher number of neovessels, probably associated with the inflammatory state and the healing process. Conclusion: Our results suggest that angiogenesis may be compromised at early stages of histiocytoma development and this may be a determinant of regression in this tumour. %U https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/invivo/34/6/3279.full.pdf