The correlation between immunohistochemically-detected markers of angiogenesis and serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with breast cancer
Lantzsch, T.; Hefler, L.; Krause, U.; Kehl, A.; Goepel, C.; Koelbl, H.; Dunst, J.; Lampe, D.
Anticancer Research 22(3): 1925-1928
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 12168895 Document Number: 542711
Background: As angiogenesis is known to be a crucial factor in breast cancer growth, numerous studies have examined angiogenic markers in breast cancer. Their definite role, however, has not been fully elucidated. Materials and Methods: We investigated intratumoral microvessel density (MVD), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor flk-1, and serum VEGF in 46 patients with breast cancer prior to surgery. Results: Median serum VEGF in patients with breast cancer was 257.5 pg/mL (range, 21.9 to 899.6). Serum VEGF showed a significant correlation with tumor stage, but not with lymph node involvement, histological grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor status. Increased MVD was associated with advanced tumor stage (p=0.05) and high tumor grade (p<0.001). A linear significant correlation between elevated serum VEGF and increased MVD was ascertained (p=0.02). Conclusion: Our results suggested that angiogenesis as reflected by immunohistochemically-detected MVD and serum VEGF, is involved in breast cancer growth and lymphatic spread.