Expressions of LYVE-1 and PROX-1 in Breast Carcinoma and Their Clinical Significance / 华中科技大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expressions of LYVE-1 and PROX-1 in human breast carcinoma and the clinical significance of lymphatic vessel density.Methods Immunohistochemistry (SP method)was used to detect the expressions of LYVE-1 and PROX-1 in 80 specimens of breast invasive ductal carcinoma and 35 specimens of breast hyperplasia.Results The density of lymphatic vessels positive for LYVE-1 or PROX-1 was significantly higher in breast carcinoma than in breast hyper-plasia (P<0.01).There was a significant correlation between lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). A negative correlation was noted between the PROX-1 expression in carcinoma cells and tumor grade (P<0.01)or TNM stage (P < 0.01 ).Conclusion Lymphangiogenesis is increased in breast carcinoma,which is associated with lymph node metastasis.PROX-1 may be involved in tumorigenesis,progression and lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer.