Angiogenesis is a major contributor to tumor growth and metastasis within breast cancer tumor microenvironment in which different proangiogenic factors have been identified and associated with tumor progression, metastasis and poor prognosis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the angiogenesis among breast cancer patients through ex vivo assessment of the angiogenic factors interleukin 8 (IL-8) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A expressions in excised tumor tissues as well as matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) serum levels as well as the prognostic value of MMP-9. Our study included 28 invasive ductal carcinoma female patients who were scheduled for modified radical mastectomy at Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt and 10 control subjects. Both IL-8 and VEGF-A expressions were immunohistochemically detected in tumor tissues and serum MMP-9 was determined by ELISA. Although no significant correlations were found between each of IL-8, VEGF-A, MMP-9 levels, and patients' clinicopathological parameters, a significant positive correlation was found between these angiogenic factors each other suggesting their synergistic roles in proceeding angiogenesis. Higher serum MMP-9 level was detected in breast cancer patients compared to the control group, indicating that it can be used as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer patients.
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