Correlation between microvessel density and tumor cell proliferation with clinical factors in breast carcinomas

Fifty-nine methacarn-fixed, paraffin-enabedded human breast carcinomas were immunostained by (2B-END/10 tan antibody to CD34 antigen) to observe micro vessels and by PC10 tan antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PCN A) to determine tumor cell proliferation; 9 normal human breast tissue spec imens were also immunostained by QB-END/10. The number of microvessels in t he periphery of the breast carcinoma was significantly greater than both th at in the center of the breast carcinoma and that in the normal breast. The re was also a significant relationship between the number of microvessels i n the periphery of breast carcinomas and the histological tumor size and ly mph node status. However, there was no significant relationship between the tumor cell proliferation activity (PCNA positive cell ratio) and any clini cal or histopathological variables. The number of microvessels and the tumo r cell proliferation activity showed a weak negative correlation.