Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor and c-met expressions in breast carcinoma

Abstract

10621 Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a specific mitogen and survival factor for endothelial cells and a key promoter of angiogenesis. This cytokine selectively induces cells proliferation and migration, increases permeability of microvessels and activates proteolitic enzymes involved in tumor invasiveness. C-met is tyrosine kinase receptor; its activation can increase tumorigenicity, induce cell motility and enhance invasiveness and metastasis. This protein can increase production of protease and urokinase which are associated with membrane degradation crucial for metastasis. The relationships between both cytokines are not clearly identified. In this study, we evaluated VEGF and c-met expression in homogenous group of 99 patients with stage II ductal breast carcinomas and analyzed correlations between both markers. Methods: Microscopic studies were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancer tissues, obtained during surgery and stained routinely with haematoxylin and eosin. Expression of VEGF and c-met was evaluated using a standard immunoperoxidase technique and area with molecule expression, intensity of color reaction and product of both findings were counted. Association between markers expressions was tested by Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Results: Expression of c-met was found in 37 (37.37%) breast tumors, while expression of VEGF was observed in 67 (67.67%) cases. There were strong correlations between expressions of both cytokines. The relationships were found between area with molecules’ expression (p = 0.0438) and intensity of reaction (p = 0.0461), also in the product of both findings (p = 0.0229). Conclusions: The results of our study confirms hypothesis that c-met may act as an indirect angiogenic factor by inducing expression of VEGF. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

High Tumor Levels of Ki-67, VEGF and Endostatin Are Associated with Progression of Breast Cancer in Iraqi Women

“…The VEGF/VEGFreceptor pathway activates signaling cascades that enhance endothelial cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. This potent cytokine also increases microvessel permeability, and activates proteolitic enzymes implicated in tumor invasiveness (26,27) . However, tumor vascularization, progression, and invasion are all enhanced by VEGF.…”