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Evaluation of the Prognostic Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Microvessel Density in Stages I and II Breast Cancer Patients

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Abstract

In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in 228 and 213 specimens, respectively, from stages I and II breast cancer patients (pts) enrolled in a randomized phase III adjuvant chemotherapy trial comparing epirubicin to CMF, while tamoxifen was given to all postmenopausal pts. The expression of VEGF and MVD was assessed on tissue sections formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded by immunohistochemical staining using anti-VEGF antibody of human origin and anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using chi squared test, log-rank test and Cox's regression model. Sixty four of 228 pts were classified as VEGF positive (28%) with no significant difference in the two treatment arms. In 213 pts evaluated for CD34, 103 pts (48%) were classified as MVD high. No significant association between VEGF and MVD was found, and neither were they correlated with many known prognostic factors such as age, tumor size, nodal status, and histological grade. The only significant correlations observed were between VEGF and estrogen receptor (ER) status (p = 0.013) and between MVD and HER2 overexpression (p = 0.023). At a median follow up of 96 months VEGF and MVD were not correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in all pts and in pts assigned to one of the two treatment arms. In conclusion, VEGF and MVD retrospectively evaluated, cannot be considered prognostic factors in node negative (N−) high risk and node positive (N+) breast cancer pts treated with two different regimens of adjuvant chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Division, Policlinico Monteluce Hospital, Perugia, Italy

    V. Ludovini, L. Pistola, S. Gori, A.M. Mosconi, R. Cherubini, M. Tonato & M. Colozza

  2. Pathology Department, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    A. Sidoni, G. Bellezza & E. Bucciarelli

  3. Medical Oncology Service ASL, Perugia, Italy

    V. De Angelis

  4. Medical Oncology Division, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    G. Bisagni

  5. Medical Oncology Division, Thiene, Italy

    A. Rosa Bian

  6. Medical Oncology Division, Piacenza, Italy

    C. Rodinò

  7. Medical Oncology Division, Modena, Italy

    R. Sabbatini

  8. Medical Oncology Division, Grosseto, Italy

    B. Mazzocchi

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  1. V. Ludovini
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  2. A. Sidoni
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  3. L. Pistola
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  10. A. Rosa Bian
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  14. E. Bucciarelli
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  15. M. Tonato
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Ludovini, V., Sidoni, A., Pistola, L. et al. Evaluation of the Prognostic Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Microvessel Density in Stages I and II Breast Cancer Patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat 81, 159–168 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025755717912

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