Abstract: Objectives To investigate the expression and distribution of two important pro-angiogenic factors,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF),in condyloma acuminatum (CA) and their significance.Methods The expression and distribution of VEGF and bFGF in specimens from 35 cases of CA and 10 normal human skins (foreskin) were detected by streptavidin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique.Results The levels of expression of VEGF and bFGF in CA were both significantly higher than those in normal skins (P﹤0.001).The levels of expression of VEGF and bFGF in CA were both throughout the epidermis but with different characteristic staining patterns,of which VEGF was intense in the basal and spinous layers and faint in the granular layer,while bFGF was faint in the basal layer and gradually became intense from spinous to granular layer and markedly increased in koilocytes.Conclusion The overexpression of VEGF and bFGF may play an important role in promoting new blood vessel formation in the dermis in CA lesions.

Key words: Endothelial growth factors, Fibroblast growth factors, Condylomata acuminata