[Angiogenesis and the expression of nm23-H(1) tumor metastatic suppressor gene in primary breast carcinoma and their relations to lymph node metastasis].

OBJECTIVE

To study angiogenesis and the expression of nm23-H(1) tumor metastatic suppressor gene in primary breast carcinoma and their relationship with axillary lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

Intratumoral vascularization in 80 cases of breast cancer was observed preoperatively by power doppler imaging (PDI) and analysed with computer-assisted quantative assessment, and the expression of microvessel density (MVD) and nm23 protein was determined by immunohistochemical technique.

RESULTS

Blood flow signals and blood vessels postitive area within masses were more in axillary node positive (LN+) group than in axillary node negative (LN-) group (t = 7.07, P < 0.01), MVD expression were higher in the LN+ group than in the LN- group (t = 6.34, P < 0.01). Meanwhile the expression of nm23-H(1) protein was lower in the LN+ group than in the LN- group, and significant correlation was found between angiogenesis and the expression of nm23-H(1) protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiogenesis and the expression of nm23-H(1) protein may play an important role in the lymphatic metastasis process of breast cancer. Furthermore, angiogenesis may correlates with the expression of nm23-H(1) protein in that progress.