Assessment of c-erbB2 and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates from early breast carcinomas: pre-operative determination of malignant potential.
OBJECTIVE
Although axillary lymph nodes status, tumour size, hormonal-receptor status and histological grade at diagnosis are frequently used to orient the treatment of breast cancer patients, some tumours recur in patients with early stage disease. Pre-operative assessment of individual tumour characteristics, based on oncogenes and growth factors related to tumour growth, invasion or metastasis, may guide the treatment for patients with breast carcinomas.


METHODS
We examine here the prognostic significance of cyclin D1, urokinase type plasminogen activator, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor, and c-erbB2 expression in pre-operatively obtained fine-needle aspirates from breast carcinomas less than or equal to 3 cm in size. Correlation between mRNA expression of these factors and clinicopathological characteristics was analysed.


RESULTS
The level of c-erbB2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumours with lymph node metastases than in those without lymph node metastases. VEGF mRNA expression positively correlated with the degree of angiogenesis as quantitated by immunohistological staining with a CD31 monoclonal antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of c-erbB2 and VEGF mRNA expression in fine-needle aspirates may be useful in assessing the malignant potential of individual breast carcinomas, leading to a pre-operative discrimination of a high-risk group.
Anan
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Kyushu University Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Morisaki
T
T
Katano
M
M
Ikubo
A
A
Tsukahara
Y
Y
Kojima
M
M
Uchiyama
A
A
Kuroki
S
S
Torisu
M
M
Tanaka
M
M
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000032:analysis; D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000032:analysis; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000199:Actins; D019938:Cyclin D1; D017931:DNA Primers; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors