Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Breast Carcinoma and its Association with Expression of Estrogen Receptors, Progesterone Receptors and HER-2/neu and Molecular Subtypes

Abstract

Background: The management of breast carcinoma depends on several molecular markers and tumor stages. In the last decades, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER-2/neu have shown good therapeutic responses. Among other molecular markers, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is becoming more widely used as a prognostic indicator in patients with breast carcinoma. Anti-VEGF therapy already has been proven as an effective chemotherapeutic agent in some other carcinomas. The study aimed to find out the immunohistochemical expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in breast carcinoma and its possible correlation with the expression of ER, PR, and HER-2/neu and molecular subtypes to evaluate its prognostic value. Material & Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, from March 2018 to January 2020. In this study, 45 diagnosed cases of breast carcinoma were enrolled. Slides of all cases were stained with ER, PR, HER-2/neu, and VEGF antibodies following the avidin-biotin-peroxidase staining method. Results: Among 45 cases, 60% showed positive immunohistochemical expression of VEGF. Most of these cases (71.1%) were ER/PR positive. VEGF did not show a significant association with other molecular markers or molecular subtypes. Conclusion: Although, the potential prognostic value of VEGF has not been confirmed. Based on the findings of the current study, it can be assumed that VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. So, it may serve as a useful biomarker for immuno-targeting therapy in patients with breast cancer.