Expression of HER-2 and its relationship with pathological characteristics and tumor angiogenesis in human breast cancer

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of HER-2 and its relationship with pathological characteristics and tumor angiogenesis in human breast cancer.METHODS: Archival primary breast carcinomas(n=62),adjacent DCIS(n=13) and DCIS alone(n=5) were analyzed for HER-2,VEGF expressions by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies.The microvessel density(MVD) was also examined by using CD34 staining.RESULTS: HER-2 and VEGF genes were overexpressed in tumor specimens as compared with normal epithelia.HER-2 expression level was correlated with TNM stage,lymphnode metastasis,histological grade ER state and PR state(χ2=8.087,8.532,10.146,19.750,4.391,P0.05).A significant correlation was found between HER-2 and VEGF expressions,P0.05.HER-2 was also significantly correlated with MVD.CONCLUSION: HER-2 may be a useful marker for reflecting tumor malignant behavior and angiogenesis of human breast cancer.Tumor angiogenesis may be one of the most important mediators in the HER-2 tumorigenic pathway.