Endoglin (CD105) expression in neurofibromatosis type 2 vestibular schwannoma
Gino Marioni MD  Lorenzo Nicolè MD  Diego Cazzador MD  Chiara Pavone MD  Domenico D'Avella MD  Alessandro Martini MD  Antonio Mazzoni MD  Elisabetta Zanoletti MD
First published: 16 July 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25881
Funding information: University of Padova, Italy, Grant/Award Number: DOR1778819/17
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Abstract
Background
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant, multiple neoplasia syndrome characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Endoglin is a proliferation‐associated protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate endoglin expression in a series of NF2‐associated VSs, as compared with a group of sporadic VSs.

Methods
Using image analysis, vessel cross‐sectional area (AA) and density (VD) were calculated from CD105 expression in 7 NF2‐associated VSs and 14 size‐matched sporadic VSs.

Results
There were no significant differences between NF2‐associated VSs and sporadic cases in terms of AA (P = .28), or VD (P = .39). A positive correlation emerged between tumor growth rate (measured on contrast‐enhanced MRI) and VD in the cohort of NF2‐associated VSs (rho = 0.95, P = .05).

Conclusions
Further investigations are needed to ascertain the feasibility of (a) measuring circulating endoglin levels to monitor tumor growth rate and (b) targeting tumor neoangiogenesis with anti‐endoglin approaches in NF2‐associated VS.