Expression of VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) in breast cancer is associated with VEGF expression and with node-negative tumour stage.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes breast cancer progression by inducing angiogenesis via VEGF receptors on endothelial cells but also signals directly through receptors such as VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) expressed on tumour cells. The impact of autocrine signalling loops on treatment with VEGF inhibitors is still unclear.


METHODS
Six breast cancer cell lines were tested for expression of VEGFR-1 by RT-PCR and Western blot. To assess clinical significance, 93 breast cancer lesions were evaluated for expression of VEGF and VEGFR-1 by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
VEGFR-1 mRNA was found in all 6 cell lines, while protein expression was found in 5 cell lines. VEGF was expressed in 60% and VEGFR-1 in 39% of breast cancer specimens. VEGFR-1 expression was associated with VEGF expression and with node-negative tumour stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that analysis of VEGF/VEGFR-1 expression might be relevant in identifying patients with different response rates upon treatment with antiangiogenic agents.
Schmidt
Melanie
M
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Wuerzburg, Germany. melanie_weigand@hotmail.de
Voelker
Hans-Ullrich
HU
Kapp
Michaela
M
Dietl
Johannes
J
Kammerer
Ulrike
U
D015153:Blotting, Western; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1