Study of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor -(A, C, D) genes and its effect on prognosis of breast cancer

Objective To study mRNA expression of VEGF-( A,C,D) genes in breast carcinoma and its effect on prognosis. Methods The mRNA expression of VEGF-(A,C,D) genes in 61 cases of primary breast carcinoma and 29 cases of benign mammary lesions was detected by TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction ( real-time RT-PCR) technology. The correlation between mRNA expression and various clinicopathologic parameters and survival data was analyzed. Results The level of mRNA expression of VEGF-(A,C) genes was significantly higher in primary breast carcinomas (2.79±1. 31 and 3. 33±0. 88 respectively) than in benign mammary lesions ( 1. 59±1. 35 and 2. 76±0. 55 respectively, P = 0. 000 and 0. 002 respectively ) . The percentage of VEGF-D mRNA expression was 73.77% in breast carcinomas, as compared to 51.72% in benign mammary lesions (P = 0.038). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of VEGF-D gene between primary breast carcinomas and benign mammary lesions ( P = 0. 683 ) . On the other hand, the ratio of VEGF-D mRNA expression to VEGF-C mRNA expression was lower in lymph node-positive than in lymph node-negative cases. This also correlated with the occurrence of nodal metastasis by uni- and multivariate analysis (Puni =0. 046 and Pmult, =0. 062). High mRNA expression of VEGF-( A,C) genes was associated with poor disease-free survival ( P = 0. 030 and 0. 044 respectively). Conclusions The expression of VEGF-(A,C,D) genes may play a role in the disease progression of breast carcinoma. The ratio of VEGF-D mRNA expression to VEGF-C mRNA expression correlates with the occurrence of lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma. The mRNA expression of VEGF-( A,C) genes may serve as a useful prognostic indicator in breast cancer.