[Expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor and its receptor mRNA in breast cancer tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor FLT-1, FLK-1 mRNA in breast cancer tissues and their correlation with clinicopathological factors.


METHODS
The expression of VEGF and and its receptor FLT-1, FLK-1 mRNA were analyzed by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the specimens from 47 patients with breast cancer and 11 patients with benign breast disease.


RESULTS
VEGF121, 165 mRNA were all detected in malignant and benign breast tissues, with higher level, (0.420 +/- 0.133 and 0.291 +/- 0.094 respectively) in breast cancer tissues than in benign breast tissues, [0.196 +/- 0.067 (P = 0.000) and 0.206 +/- 0.058 (P = 0.001) respectively]. VEGF121 mRNA expression was stronger than VEGF165 mRNA expression (P = 0.000) in breast cancer tissues, whereas there is no significant difference in benign breast tissues (P = 0.666). FLT-1, FLK-1 mRNA were expressed in 18 of 47 (38.3%) and 12 of 47 (25.5%) breast cancer tissues respectively, but not in benign breast tissues. Moreover, no correlation was observed between the expression of VEGF121, VEGF165, FLT-1, FLK-1 mRNA in breast cancer tissues and patients' age, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor stages, estrogen or progesterone receptor status.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of VEGF and its receptor FLT-1, FLK-1 mRNA were up-regulated in breast cancer tissues, suggesting its important role in angiogenesis of breast cancer.
Liu
Xiao
X
Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Fan
Ping
P
Wang
Shui
S
Wu
Zheng-yan
ZY
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1