Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin and von willebrand factor: Role as surrogate markers of angiogenesis in breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer. Surrogate markers for angiogenesis would be useful for studying the effectiveness of antiangiogenesis drugs. We examined the potential of three glycoproteins vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], endothelial selectin [E-Selectin], and von Will brand factor [vWF], to serve as markers for angiogenesis. Serum levels of VCAM-1, E-selectin and plasma vWF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 54 women with different stages [1-IV] of breast cancer [12 women in stage 1, 16 in stage 11, I4 in stage III and 12 in stage IV]. Their ages ranged from 25-70 years. To investigate whether the concentration of these activated endothelial cell molecules are associated with breast cancer, the serum levels of soluble VCAM-1, E-selectin and plasma levels of vWF in women with breast cancer were compared with those of22 healthy age-matched control women, we also examined whether levels of VCAM-1, E-selectin or vWF are associated with tumor progression and stage of breast cancer [early and advanced breast cancer]. The results revealed that levels of VCAM-1, E-selectin and vWF are elevated in breast cancer women, even in early stages when compared with control women. Although plasma vWF and serum VCAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in advanced stages than early stages of breast cancer with a positive correlation with disease stage, E-selectin did not show a statistical difference between different stages of breast cancer. vWF, which is released by all endothelial cells, would be a pan-endothelial marker that would not accurately report angiogenesis and Serum soluble VCAM-1 can, be considered as an accurate marker of tumor angiogenesis in breast cancer