Identification of angiogenesis in primary breast carcinoma according to the image analysis

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2002 Jul;74(2):121-9. doi: 10.1023/a:1016150213253.

Abstract

Tumor angiogenesis may be an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer survival. However, we can get the angiogenic property of the breast cancer only after the removal of breast tissue. To get this information before surgical resection of the tumor, we evaluated 29 breast carcinoma patients with Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography and power Doppler ultrasound (US) with a microbubble contrast agent preoperatively and compare their results with intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of VEGF mRNA. IMD was well correlated with VEGF121 (r = 0.220, P = 0.024) and VEGF165 (r = 0.419, P = 0.046) mRNA level of the tumor. Power Doppler US grading of the tumor is well correlated with IMD (r = 0.552, P = 0.033). However, early uptake and washout index calculated from Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography showed no correlation with IMD or VEGF mRNA level, while washout index was inversely correlated with power Doppler US grading (r = -0.945, P = 0.001). In conclusion, the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer with power Doppler US with a microbubble contrast agent could predict tumor angiogenesis. Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography needs further study to use it as an image analysis for angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / analysis
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Lymphokines / analysis
  • Lymphokines / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Mammography / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi