Research on angiogenesis discussed by scientists at University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences

   "VEGF is biologically active in the extracellular space and hitherto, there has been a lack of techniques enabling sampling of angiogenic molecules such as VEGF in situ. The majority of breast cancers are estrogen-dependent, and estrogen has been shown to regulate VEGF in normal breast tissue and experimental breast cancer. We investigated if microdialysis may be applicable in human breast cancer for sampling of extracellular VEGF in situ and to explore if there is an association with local estradiol and VEGF levels in normal and cancerous breast tissue. Microdialysis was used to sample VEGF and estradiol in tumors and adjacent normal breast tissue in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. VEGF and estradiol were also measured in plasma, and immunohistochemical staining for VEGF was performed on tumor sections. We show that in vivo levels of extracellular VEGF were significantly higher in breast cancer tumors than in normal adjacent breast tissue. There was a significant positive correlation between estradiol and extracellular VEGF in normal breast tissue. However, no correlation was detected between estradiol and VEGF in tumors or between tumor VEGF and plasma VEGF. We conclude that VEGF and estradiol correlates significantly in normal breast tissue," wrote S. Garvin and colleagues, University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences.

   The researchers concluded: "Microdialysis may be used to provide novel insight in breast tumor biology and the regulation of molecules in the extracellular space of human breast tumors in vivo."

   Garvin and colleagues published their study in BMC Cancer (In vivo measurement of tumor estradiol and vascular endothelial growth factor in breast cancer patients. BMC Cancer, 2008;8():73).

   For additional information, contact S. Garvin, University Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, SE-581 85 Linkoping, Sweden.

   Publisher contact information for the journal BMC Cancer is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.

   Keywords: Sweden, Angiogenesis, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Dialysis, Drugs, Estradiol, Microdialysis, Microtechnology, Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Therapy, Treatment, Tumor Vascularization, VEGF, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Women's Health.

   This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.

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