Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 Expression in Breast Cancer and Its Correlation to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Abstract

VEGF-A is the most potent angiogenic factor in tumour angiogenesis. Its effects are mediated via two receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Primary aim of our study was to examine the expression of VEGFR-1 in breast cancer and its correlation to VEGF expression, lymph node status, tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status. To examine the VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions in tumour and surrounding tissue of 51 breast cancer patients, and in healthy breast tissue of 30 benign breast diseases patients, we used three-step immunohistochemical staining. VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly increased in breast cancer tumour in relation to surrounding tissue (P < 0.01), and the VEGF expression was significantly increased in lymph node positive breast cancer patients (P < 0.01). VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly higher in breast cancer tumour compared with healthy breast tissue (P < 0.01). Significant correlation between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions was found (P < 0.05). No significant correlations between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions and tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status were found. Increased expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGF in breast cancer tumour and significant correlation between these proteins suggest the possible role of VEGF/VEGFR-1 signalization in breast cancer development, although VEGFR-1 potential prognostic value was not confirmed.

Study of expression and correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor with grading and staging of breast carcinoma

“…In our study we demonstrated a weak correlation between the histological grade and the VEGF expression which was not significant (p-0.06). This finding was in accordance with the results of others similar (8,10,11,14) . On the other hand Linderholm B et al (4) reported a significant correlation between VEGF expression and grading of breast carcinoma while Ghasemi M et al (13) showed inverse correlation.…”

“…In our study we found 93.33% of cases showing positivity for VEGF expression. Similar results were seen in some of the previous studies (10,11,12,13) . High number of positive cases for VEGF sustains the concept that this growth factor is involved in the development of breast tumors by different mechanism (10) .…”

“…We demonstrated in our study that lymph node involvement had no significant correlation with VEGF expression similar to the observations of Almumen, M (8) several other studies demonstrated significant correlation between VEGF expression and lymph node involvement (10,11,14) .…”

“…Similar results were observed in other previous studies (4,14,15,16) , Thus, confirming the dependence of tumor expansion on angiogenesis (14) . In contrast, no significant correlation was found in previous studies (8,10,11) .…”

VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies: a review of the literature

“…VEGF-C expression is associated with poor prognosis for these patients, including patients with stage I NSCLC [29]. VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly increased in breast cancer in relation to surrounding tissue and the VEGF expression was significantly increased in lymph node positive breast cancer patients [30]. VEGF could impact ovarian cancer's malignant progression [31].…”