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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
09:04

A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Published on: March 15, 2016

Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after chemoendocrine therapy in breast cancer

N Fersis1, B Smyczek-Gargya, S Armeanu

  • 1Breast Clinic, Department of Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Germany.

European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology
|April 1, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Preoperative chemoendocrine therapy impacts breast cancer cell expression of angiogenic factors. Low drug doses up-regulate VEGF and Angiopoietin-1, while high doses suppress them, affecting angiogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Angiogenesis is a key target in anticancer strategies, involving the inhibition of angiogenic factors or endothelial cell proliferation.
  • The effect of preoperative chemoendocrine therapy on angiogenic factor regulation is not well understood, though some anticancer drugs exhibit antiangiogenic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of preoperative chemoendocrine therapy on angiogenic factors.
  • To determine the dose-dependent effects of specific anticancer drugs on VEGF and Angiopoietin-1 expression in breast cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Angiopoietin-1.
  • Utilized MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cell lines.
  • Tested varying concentrations of doxorubicin, docetaxel, tamoxifen, exemestane, and letrozol.

Main Results:

  • Low drug concentrations increased VEGF-A gene transcription and Angiopoietin-1 gene expression.
  • High drug concentrations (10-fold increase) suppressed VEGF-A gene expression.
  • VEGF protein levels showed a similar dose-dependent modulation, with less variation than gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Preoperative treatment demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on VEGF and Angiopoietin-1 expression in breast cancer cells.
  • High drug concentrations decreased the secretion of both factors.
  • Low drug concentrations led to the up-regulation of VEGF and Angiopoietin-1, suggesting a complex regulatory role in angiogenesis.

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