ASSESSMENT OF C-ERBB2 AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATES FROM EARLY BREAST CARCINOMAS- PREOPERATIVE DETERMINATION OF MALIGNANT POTENTIAL

Aims. Although axillary lymph nodes status, tumour size, hormonal-rece ptor status and histological grade at diagnosis are frequently used to orient the treatment of breast cancer patients, some tumours recur in patients with early stage disease. Pre-operative assessment of indivi dual tumour characteristics, based on oncogenes and growth factors rel ated to tumour growth, invasion or metastasis, may guide the treatment for patients with breast carcinomas. Methods. We examine here the pro gnostic significance of cyclin D1, urokinase type plasminogen activato r, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor, and c-erbB2 expression in pre-operatively obtained fine-needle aspirates from breast carcinomas less than or equal to 3 cm in size. Correlation between mRNA expression of these factors and clinicopathol ogical characteristics was analysed. Results. The level of c-erbB2 mRN A expression was significantly higher in tumours with lymph node metas tases than in those without lymph node metastases. VEGF mRNA expressio n positively correlated with the degree of angiogenesis as quantitated by immunohistological staining with a CD31 monoclonal antibody. Concl usions. Analysis of c-erbB2 and VEGF mRNA expression in fine-needle as pirates may be useful in assessing the malignant potential of individu al breast carcinomas, leading to a pre-operative discrimination of a h igh-risk group.