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Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro
10:24

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

Published on: June 18, 2015

Down regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules in node positive breast cancer: possible failure of host defence

Maya Madhavan1, Priya Srinivas, Elizabeth Abraham

  • 1Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, 695011, India. rcctvm@md2.vsnl.net.in

Pathology Oncology Research : POR
|August 13, 2002
PubMed

Insights

This study found lower levels of cell adhesion molecules (VCAM, ICAM, E-selectin) in node-positive breast cancer. Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) independently predicted nodal metastasis, suggesting a role in tumor escape.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play roles in tumorigenesis and immune response.
  • The expression of CAMs in breast cancer, particularly concerning lymph node metastasis, is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin in breast cancer patients.
  • To determine the association between CAM expression and lymph node invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin expression in breast cancer tissues.
  • Comparison of CAM expression between node-positive and node-negative cases.
  • Multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of nodal metastasis.

Main Results:

  • A significant downregulation of VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin was observed in node-positive breast cancer compared to node-negative cases.
  • This downregulation suggests potential shedding of these molecules during nodal metastasis.
  • VCAM was identified as an independent predictor of nodal metastasis via multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Downregulation of CAMs, possibly through shedding, may facilitate tumor cell evasion of host defenses in breast cancer with nodal metastasis.
  • VCAM expression is a significant independent predictor of lymph node involvement in breast cancer.

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