Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in breast cancer: its relation with cancer type and estrogen receptor status.
OBJECTIVE
Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic cytokines. In breast cancer, tumor VEGF has been shown to have a good correlation with relapse-free survival. The aim of this study was to determine the relation of serum VEGF levels to the various indices of breast cancer and known tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen and CA15.3.


METHODS
Preoperative serum VEGF levels were determined in 200 women with breast cancer and compared with serum VEGF levels in 88 healthy female controls.


RESULTS
The serum VEGF levels of the cancer patients as a group were significantly elevated compared with those of the controls (P < 0.0005). VEGF levels were elevated in patients with invasive cancer of ductal/no specific type, ductal carcinoma in situ, and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. Patients with lobular carcinoma and ER-negative tumors had serum VEGF levels comparable with those in the controls. VEGF was more sensitive than CA15.3 and carcinoembryonic antigen in detecting breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative serum VEGF detects breast cancer with a sensitivity of 62.1%. The relationship to cancer type and ER status may have future therapeutic implications. Additional long-term studies are required to determine the prognostic significance of serum VEGF.
Heer
K
K
Academic Surgical Unit, Castle Hill Hospital, University of Hull, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom. Kamalharish@aol.com
Kumar
H
H
Read
J R
JR
Fox
J N
JN
Monson
J R
JR
Kerin
M J
MJ
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D018396:Mucin-1; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors