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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42109908 DOI: 10.1515/med-2025-1312

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: analysis of 12 cases and review of the literature.

Open Med (Wars) 21(1):20251312

Authors: Luigi Cofone, Mauro Palmieri, Ivano Pindinello, Antonio Minni, Marco Artico, Francesco Circosta, Gabriele Santilli, Raffaella Carletti, Cira Tiziana Rosaria Di Gioia, Samanta Taurone

Affiliations

  • Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Adolescent males are the main victims of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA), an uncommon, benign tumor that is extremely vascular and locally aggressive. Because of its invasive growth and proximity to important anatomical systems, JNA presents major therapeutic hurdles despite its benign classification. Understanding the molecular and histological processes behind juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is the goal of the study.

METHODS

12 Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (8 males and 4 females, mean age 16.2, range 14-18 years) and 4 control samples (normal tissue samples contained no visible tumor cells; three males and one female) were retrieved from archival paraffin embedded blocks with a sufficient sample size. The expression of TGF-β1, VEGF-A, and TNF-α has been studied. The technique chosen for the immunohistochemical study of the samples was microdensitometry.

RESULTS

By analyzing tissue samples, it investigates the presence of Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in angiogenesis, fibrosis, and inflammation-three critical processes in the development of malignancies. Overexpression of these growth factors was found in tumor tissues by immunohistochemical analysis, indicating their role in vascularization and tumor progression.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest potential targets for treatment, such as anti-angiogenic drugs, to improve management strategies beyond surgical resection, which remains the primary therapeutic strategy. Future research should focus on developing novel therapy strategies that use molecular inhibitors to improve clinical outcomes for JNA patients.

MeSH

Growth, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Neoplasms, Angiofibroma, Therapeutics, Tissues