[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1/KDR in benign and malignant breast neoplasms].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences in the expression of angiogenesis-related molecules between benign and malignant breast neoplasms.


METHODS
Thirty breast cancer patients (33 foci) and 30 with benign breast neoplasms (34 foci) were examined for CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Flk-1/KDR expressions using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In patients with breast cancer, the microvessels densely distributed around the cancer nest. The microvessel density (MVD) in the cancer patients was significantly higher than that in patients with benign tumors (34.48+/-8.34 vs 18.65+/-4.69, P<0.05). In the breast cancer patients, strong VEGF expression was found in the epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells around the breast carcinoma, and Flk-1/KDR was also strongly expressed in the vascular endothelial cells. The expressions of VEGF and Flk-1/KDR were hardly detectable in the benign tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF is an important regulatory factor in promoting breast tumor angiogenesis.
Li
Ying-jia
YJ
Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. lyjia@fimmu.com
Wen
Ge
G
Wang
Qian
Q
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2