Background

Angiogenesis is a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is expressed on endothelial cells as a result of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation.

Purpose

To determine if measurement in serum of VEGF or VCAM-1 provides an accurate measure of tumor angiogenesis.

Methods

VCAM-1 and VEGF were measured in the serum of women with early and advanced breast cancer by ELISA. Levels were compared to levels of VCAM-1 and VEGF in women with normal breasts and levels of the endothelial glycoprotein von Willebrand factor. Levels of VEGF and VCAM-1 in women with early breast cancer were correlated with established clinicopathological prognostic markers and intratumoral microvessel density (IMD).

Results

In early breast cancer serum VCAM-1 correlated closely with the microvessel density in tumors (r=0.61, p<0.001). Women with lymph node-positive and high-grade tumors had higher levels of serum VCAM-1 than women with lymph node-negative and low-grade tumors. Serum VEGF demonstrated no correlation with established prognostic features or IMD. Levels of VCAM-1 and VEGF were raised in women with advanced breast cancer.

Conclusion

Serum VCAM-1 is a surrogate marker of angiogenesis in breast cancer and its measurement may help in the assessment of antiangiogenic drugs currently in phase II trials.