Lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer

Abstract

Introduction: There have been few studies on lymphangiogenesis in the past due to the lack of specific lymphatic endothelial markers, and lymphatic-specific growth factors. Recently, these limitations have been relieved by the discovery of a small number of potential lymphatic-specific markers. The relationship between lymphangiogenesis and regional or distant metastasis has not previously been investigated in humans. Using these lymphatic markers, it is possible to explore the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and tumour metastasis. This study indirectly quantified lymphangiogenesis by measuring mRNA expression of all seven lymphatic markers described above in breast cancers and correlated these markers with lymphatic involvement and survival.

Expression of D2-40 in Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions and Study the Correlation between Lymphovascular Density and other Prognostic Factors of Breast Cancer

“…One of the most common pathways of initial tumor dissemination is via regional lymphatics, following routes of natural lymphatic drainage [4]. Lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) is known as an independent predictor of lymph node (LN) metastases in breast cancer [5].…”

Lymphatic vascularization in primary breast cancer: her2 overexpressing tumors contain more lymphatics than steroid receptor positive, triple-positive and triple negative breast carcinomas

“…The controversy concerning the presence of lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer is open to questions (12,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Breast carcinomas might be divided into morphological (16) or molecular subtypes (1-6) but criteria for the latter are not widely accepted, and several variations in definitions of molecular subtypes of breast carcinomas exist.…”

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF): role in pathological processes

“…Максимальная экспрессия VEGF С в эндотелии лимфатических сосудов позволяет считать ее маркером лимфоангиогенеза, тем самым играя важную роль в онкологических заболеваниях кроветворной систе-мы. Вместе с тем, по мнению некоторых ученых, VEGF С является «сигналом» (маркером) метастазирования опу-холи, а соотношение VEGF С/VEGF D служит патологи-ческим маркером поражения лимфатических узлов [59,60].…”