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Guy S. O. Missotten, MD, PhD; Irene C. Notting, MD; Reinier O. Schlingemann, MD, PhD; Henry J. Zijlmans, MD; Chun Lau, MD; Paul H. C. Eilers, PhD; Jan E. E. Keunen, MD, PhD; Martine J. Jager, MD, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:1428-1434.

Objectives  To determine the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the aqueous humor of eyes with uveal melanoma and to identify its source.

Methods  The VEGF-A concentrations were determined in aqueous humor samples obtained after enucleation from 74 eyes with untreated uveal melanoma and from 8 eyes with treated uveal melanoma. Patient survival and clinical and histopathological tumor variables were compared. In situ hybridization, Western blot analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine expression of VEGF-A in tumor tissue and in overlying retina.

Results  Aqueous VEGF-A concentrations ranged from 18 to 826 pg/mL in 74 untreated eyes, while concentrations in 30 control eyes were significantly lower (median, 50.1 pg/mL) (P<.001). Concentrations in 8 treated eyes were much higher (median, 364 pg/mL). In situ hybridization on tissue sections and Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on tissue extracts revealed VEGF-A in uveal melanoma tissue and in retinal tissue.

Conclusions  Uveal melanoma is associated with increased concentrations of VEGF-A in aqueous humor. Aqueous VEGF-A concentration correlates with largest basal tumor diameter and with the tumor height. In eyes with uveal melanoma, tumor and retinal tissues are sources of VEGF-A.

Author Affiliations: Departments of Ophthalmology (Drs Missotten, Notting, Keunen, and Jager), Pathology (Dr Zijlmans), and Medical Statistics (Dr Eilers), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden; and Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam (Dr Schlingemann); the Netherlands; and Schepens Eye Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (Dr Lau).

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