[Evolution of angiogenesis following anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
The impact of chemotherapy on the extent of breast cancer angiogenesis is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of primary chemotherapy on tumor microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and correlate this changes with tumor response, post-chemotherapy changes and other biological variables.


METHODS
In 41 consecutive patients with breast cancer stages II and III, treated with anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, immunohistochemical analysis of microvessel density and VEGF were performed before and after the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.


RESULTS
Microvessel density was the same in post-chemotherapy that in pre-chemotherapy samples (p = 0.29). There were no changes in the expression of VEGF (p = 0.23). The expression of VEGF and microvessel density did not show any relationship with the response in the pre-chemotherapy analysis (p = 0.60 and p = 0.30 respectively), nor in the post-chemotherapy analysis (p = 0.50 and p = 0.65 respectively). Changes post-chemotherapy were not associated with VEGF expression (p = 0.53 in the pre-chemotherapy samples and p = 0.43 in the post-chemotherapy samples) nor microvessel density (p = 0.72 in the pre-chemotherapy samples and p = 0.65 in the post-chemotherapy samples).


CONCLUSIONS
Anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not cause a reduction of the density of microvessel nor of the expression of VEGF in breast cancer.
Baena-Cañada
José M
JM
Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Patología Mamaria. Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar. Cádiz. España. josem.baena.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Palomo González
María J
MJ
Arriola Arellano
Esperanza
E
Añón Requena
María J
MJ
Benítez Rodríguez
Encarnación
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis
D018943:Anthracyclines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A