High levels of growth factor could be marker for metastatic breast carcinoma

High levels of growth factor could be marker for metastatic breast carcinoma

(Breast Cancer-March 11, 2003)

Scientists have long suspected that growth factors associated with angiogenesis contribute to the spread of certain cancers. A research team in Japan have concluded that at least one marks the metastatic potential of breast carcinoma.

"The angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) is implicated in the development of lymphatic vessels and promotion of lymphatic metastases," explained Yasushi Nakamura and coauthors of Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama City, Japan.

Working with colleagues at Osaka Police Hospital in Osaka, Japan, Nakamura's group stained 105 invasive breast carcinomas for VEGF-D. The samples were acquired from individuals who received long-term follow-up for breast cancer, according to researchers.

More than 80% of the samples expressed VEGF-D, researchers said. There was a positive correlation between VEGF-D expression and cancer in the lymph nodes, and between VEGF-D and elevated expression of c-erbB-2 , an oncogene.

Statistical analysis also showed VEGF-D to be correlated with outcomes such as disease-free survival and overall survival (Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor D in breast carcinoma with long-term follow-up. Clinical Cancer Research, 9(2):716-721).

"VEGF-D may be useful in the treatment of breast cancer as a decision-making biomarker for aggressive treatment after operation," Nakamura and colleagues proposed.

The corresponding author for this study is Yasushi Nakamura, Wakayama Medical University, 641-8509 Wakayama City, Japan.

Key points reported in this study include:

* In a long-term follow-up study of breast carcinoma, over 80% of cancer samples expressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D

* VEGF-D was associated with lymph node metastasis, overall survival, and disease-free survival in individuals with breast carcinoma

* VEGF-D may be a valuable biomarker and decision making tool for the treatment of breast cancer This article was prepared by Cancer Weekly editors from staff and other reports.