The role of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) in Paget's disease of the vulva and breast.
BACKGROUND
Paget's disease of the vulva and the breast are uncommon conditions. The pathogenesis underlying these diseases is still unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), a potent angiogenic factor, has been demonstrated in a variety of tumour cell types and is thought to be involved in tumour expansion. Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) has also been shown to stimulate angiogenesis.


METHODS
Fifty-four cases of Paget's disease of the vulva, including 10 with an associated invasive adenocarcinoma, and 38 cases of Paget's disease of the breast, including 26 with available associated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and/or invasive carcinoma of the breast, were evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression of VEGF-A and PD-ECGF/TP.


RESULTS
VEGF-A was not expressed in Paget's disease of the vulva or breast. PD-ECGF/TP was expressed in 22 out of 54 (41%) cases of Paget's disease of the vulva. Four of the cases associated with invasive disease (40%) expressed PD-ECGF/TP. Twenty-one out of 38 (55%) cases of Paget's disease of the breast were positive for PD-ECGF/TP.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that PD-ECGF/TP may have a role to play in the pathogenesis of Paget's disease of the vulva and the breast. The role of VEGF-A in Paget's disease of the vulva and the breast remains to be fully elucidated.
Ellis
Patricia E
PE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, UK.
Wong Te Fong
Lan Fong
LF
Rolfe
Kerstin J
KJ
Crow
Julie C
JC
Reid
Wendy M N
WM
Davidson
Tim
T
MacLean
Allan B
AB
Perret
Christopher W
CW
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010145:Paget Disease, Extramammary / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010144:Paget's Disease, Mammary / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase