Down regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules in node positive breast cancer: possible failure of host defence mechanism.
Endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are important in tumorigenesis and host defense mechanism. Their status in breast cancer with regard to nodal invasion is not yet known. Hence we looked at the expression of three important CAMs: VCAM, ICAM and E-selectin. A downregulation of all these CAMs was noted in node positive breast cancer in comparison to node negative cases. This suggests shedding of these molecules in cases with nodal metastasis which might help the tumor cells to escape the host defense mechanism. On multi-variate analysis, VCAM alone emerged as an independent predictor of nodal metastasis.
Madhavan
Maya
M
Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, 695011, India. rcctvm@md2.vsnl.net.in
Srinivas
Priya
P
Abraham
Elizabeth
E
Ahmed
Iqbal
I
Vijayalekshmi
N R
NR
Balaram
Prabha
P
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002450:Cell Communication; D015536:Down-Regulation; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1