Regulation of endothelial growth factor expressions in breast cancer

Expression of various endothelial growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was investigated in human breast carcinoma tissues, and the results were compared to the intratumoral microvessel density evaluated by the immunostaining to anti-factor VIII related antigen. VEGF and PD-ECGF were examined by immunostainings, and bFGF and HGF were assessed by enzymatic immunoassays. As a result, VEGF and PD-ECGF were significantly associated with the increment of microvessel density, although no significant correlation was found with bFGF and HGF. In addition, interestingly, a tendency of co-expression between VEGF and PD-ECGF was demonstrated. It was suggested that VEGF and PD-ECGF play important roles in the promotion of angiogenesis in human breast cancer.