VEGF in Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients on Tamoxifen
Author Information
Author(s): Coradini D, Biganzoli E, Pellizzaro C, Veneroni S, Oriana S, Ambrogi F, Erdas R, Boracchi P, Daidone M G, Marubini E
Primary Institution: Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
Hypothesis
Does the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) content in node-positive breast cancer patients affect their relapse-free survival when treated with adjuvant tamoxifen?
Conclusion
Higher levels of VEGF in tumors are associated with a shorter relapse-free survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen, especially when estrogen receptor levels are low.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with high VEGF levels had a significantly shorter relapse-free survival.
- The study included 212 patients who were evaluated for VEGF content.
- VEGF content did not show significant correlation with other variables considered.
- Multivariate analysis indicated significant relationships between VEGF, ER levels, and prognosis.
Takeaway
This study found that in breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen, those with higher VEGF levels had a higher chance of their cancer coming back, especially if their estrogen receptors were low.
Methodology
The study evaluated VEGF content and steroid receptor profiles in postmenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer who received tamoxifen, analyzing their relapse-free survival using multivariate Cox regression.
Limitations
The model explained only 13.2% of the total heterogeneity of relapse times, indicating other factors may also influence outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Postmenopausal women with primary resectable invasive breast cancer, median age 64 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.07–2.20
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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