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Preoperative assessment of tumor angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression in homogenate samples of breast carcinoma: Fine‐needle aspirates vs. resection samples
Author(s) -
Anan Keisei,
Morisaki Takashi,
Katano Mitsuo,
Ikubo Akashi,
Tsukahara Yasuhiro,
Uchiyama Akihiko,
Kuroki Syoji,
Tanaka Masao,
Torisu Motomichi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199712)66:4<257::aid-jso7>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - medicine , angiogenesis , breast carcinoma , vascular endothelial growth factor , resection , carcinoma , pathology , breast cancer , vegf receptors , surgery , cancer
Background and Objectives Tumor angiogenesis is receiving increased attention as a prognostic factor and also as a possible target for new anticancer agents. We investigated whether extent of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression correlated with degree of neovascularization, and whether this expression in fine‐needle aspirates could be a marker for assessing angiogenic potential of breast tumors. Methods VEGF mRNA expression was semiquantitated by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) followed by Southern blotting. Tumor neovascularization was assessed by immunohistochemical staining with anti‐CD31 (PECAM) antibody. Results There was a positive correlation between degree of neovascularization and semiquantitated VEGF mRNA expression in invasive ductal carcinomas (r 2 = 0.346, n = 48, P < 0.05). Extent of VEGF mRNA expression in fine‐needle aspirates was closely correlated with that in resected invasive ductal carcinomas equal to or less than 3 cm in size (r 2 = 0.874, n = 14, P < 0.05). Conclusion These data suggest that semiquantitation of VEGF mRNA expression in fine‐needle aspirates is useful for assessing angiogenic potential of invasive ductal carcinomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 1997;66:257–263. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.