STUDY OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN ANGIOGENESIS AND PROGNOSIS OF BREAST CARCINOMA / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

92 specimens from patients with invasive ductal carcinoma were investigated. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was demonstrated by immunocytochemical staining with an antibody against VEGF and was quantitatively estimated by using computerized image analysis system. Vessels were immunohistochemically highlighted by using an antibody to CD34, and microvessel density (MVD) was quantified. The postoperative survey in univariate analysis showed that the relapse-free-survival (RFS) time of patients with more than 87 microvessels in single microscopic field was significantly worse compared to that of patients with less than 87 microvessels in node-negative patients (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that MVD was an independent prognostic indicator for RFS in node-negative patients and all patients (P<0.05～0.01). In addition, there was a closely positive correlation between VEGF and MVD (P<0.01). The results suggested that VEGF plays crucial roles in the promotion of angiogenesis in primary breast carcinoma. VEGF and MVD are closely correlated with biological behavior of primary breast carcinomas. MVD can provide a useful message in predicting the recurrence or metastasis of tumors.