Abstract
IntroductionThe aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in breast cancer cells and the corresponding serum levels in individual patients. The study also evaluated the potential of serum levels of the two growth factors as diagnostic markers in a case–control study.MethodsVEGF expression and bFGF expression were determined in 62 and 63 tumor samples, respectively. Serum VEGF and bFGF levels were determined in 54 and 65 healthy women and in 69 and 73 breast cancer patients, respectively, using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.ResultsA direct correlation was observed between VEGF expression and bFGF expression in individual tumors (P = 0.001) and between serum levels (P = 0.038) in individual patients, but not between tumor cell expression and the corresponding serum level for either growth factor. Median values of serum levels in healthy women and breast cancer patients were not different for VEGF (P = 0.055), but were significantly different for bFGF (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve identified a serum bFGF concentration of 1.0 pg/ml, with 84.9% sensitivity and 63.1% specificity, as the best cut-off value to discriminate between healthy women and breast cancer patients. An age-based subgroup analysis showed that serum values of patients older than 70 years of age mainly contributed to the high accuracy.ConclusionsOur data repropose bFGF as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for breast cancer.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor in breast cancer cells and the corresponding serum levels in individual patients
VEGF-soluble proteins bind to two specific tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, bFGF = basic fibroblast growth factor; CV = coefficient of variation; ER = estrogen receptor; PBS = phosphate-buffered saline; progesterone receptor (PgR) = progesR38 terone receptor; ROC = receiver operating characteristic; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor
In consideration of the low serum concentrations of bFGF and of the fact that the tests were carried out manually, we considered a CV higher than 10% but lower than 15% acceptable
Summary
The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in breast cancer cells and the corresponding serum levels in individual patients. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are two heparin-binding molecules with potent angiogenic properties both in vivo and in vitro. VEGF-soluble proteins bind to two specific tyrosine-kinase receptors, VEGFR-1 (flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (flk-1/KDR), bFGF = basic fibroblast growth factor; CV = coefficient of variation; ER = estrogen receptor; PBS = phosphate-buffered saline; PgR = progesR38 terone receptor; ROC = receiver operating characteristic; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor. It has been hypothesized that, during both wound healing of normal tissues and tumor development, the action of heparan sulfate degrading enzymes activates bFGF, mediating the formation of new blood vessels [2,3]
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