title: Molecular expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, prokineticin receptor-1 and other biomarkers in infiltrating canalicular carcinoma of the breast.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important in the growth and metastasis of cancer cells. In 2001, another angiogenic factor, endocrine gland-derived VEGF (EG-VEGF), was characterized and sequenced. EG-VEGF activity appears to be restricted to endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. At the molecular level, its expression is regulated by hypoxia and steroid hormones. Although VEGF and EG-VEGF are structurally different, they function in a coordinated fashion. Since the majority of mammary tumors are hormone-dependent, it was hypothesized that EG-VEGF would be expressed in these tumors, and therefore, represent a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of VEGF, EG-VEGF and its receptor (prokineticin receptor-1), as well as that of breast cancer resistant protein, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, in 50 breast samples of infiltrating canalicular carcinoma (ICC) and their correlation with tumor staging. The samples were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Both angiogenic growth factors were identified in all samples. However, in 90% of the samples, the expression level of VEGF was significantly higher than that of EG-VEGF (P=0.024). There was no association between the expression of VEGF, EG-VEGF or its receptor with tumor stage. In ICC, the predominant angiogenic factor expressed was VEGF. The expression level of either factor was not correlated with the tumor-node-metastasis stage. Although ICC is derived from endothelial cells, EG-VEGF expression was not the predominant angiogenic/growth factor in ICC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Sumiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vilchis
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Natsuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Claudia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.affiliation: Department of Mammary Tumors, National Cancer Institute, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.affiliation: Department of Mammary Tumors, National Cancer Institute, Mexico City 14080, Mexico.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bargalló
keywords: breast carcinoma; endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor; prokineticin receptor-1; vascular endothelial growth factor