Effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women

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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of raloxifene on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women. Sixteen postmenopausal patients with operable stage II, oestrogen receptor-positive, infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma were treated with raloxifene at a dose of 60 mg/day, for a period of 28 days prior to definitive surgery. Tumour size varied from 3 to 5 cm (mean 3.7 cm) and mean age of patients was 61.8 years (range 49-72 years). Tumour samples were obtained by incisional biopsy at the time of diagnosis and again at the time of surgery. Immunohistochemical evaluation of VEGF expression was assessed semiquantitatively based on fraction of stained tumour cells and on intensity of staining. McNemar's test of symmetry was used to evaluate agreement between positive or negative classification of VEGF expression prior to and following raloxifene treatment (P < 0.05). Fourteen of the 16 patients (88%) were classified as positive for VEGF expression prior to raloxifene treatment, while only 5 (31%) were classified as positive following treatment (P < 0.007). Raloxifene significantly reduced VEGF expression in these oestrogen receptor-positive breast carcinomas of postmenopausal women.