Vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density for detection and prognostic evaluation of invasive breast cancer ⁎

Abstract

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD105-microvessel density (MVD) in invasive breast carcinomas. We also aimed to analyze the relationship between VEGF and MVD expression with other standard prognostic parameters associated with invasive breast cancer, such as size, grade, stage of the cancer, metastases, and tumor recurrence. Methods Immunohistochemistry via the Ultra SensitiveTM S-P method was used to detect VEGF and MVD expression in 128 cases of invasive breast carcinoma. Specimens were evaluated for CD105 expression. Positively stained microvessels were counted in dense vascular foci under 400× magnification. MVD in the peripheral area adjacent to the lesion and in the central area within the lesion in invasive breast carcinomas and benign leisions groups were also assessed. Fifty cases of benign breast disease tissue were selected as the control group. Results Results showed that 64.1% of invasive breast cancer samples were VEGF-positive, higher than in benign breast disease tissue (22.0%, P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between VEGF overexpression and histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis of invasive breast cancer. VEGF expression was not related to age or size of the tumor (P > 0.05). MVD of the peripheral area adjacent to the lesion was significantly higher than those central area within the lesion in both invasive breast cancer and benign breast disease groups (P < 0.01 for each group). There were significant differences in the mean CD105-MVD, between invasive breast tumors with a histological grade of I or II and grade III; between tumors with lymph node or distant metastasis; and between patients with or without recurrence (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the mean MVD between the two age groups (≤ 50 years vs. > 50 years) or the two tumor diameter groups (≤ 2 cm vs. > 2 cm), P > 0.05. Conclusion Overexpression of VEGF and MVD may be important biological markers for invasion and lymph node and distant metastases of invasive breast cancer. Combined detection of the two tumor markers could provide better prognostic monitoring for disease recurrence and metastasis, as well as aid with clinical staging of breast tumors. Prediction of the risk for metastasis and recurrence, as well as recurrence patterns based on VEGF and MVD post-surgery, could aid design of better follow-up regimens and appropriate treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.