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• The role of VEGF across tumor types
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• VEGF in breast cancer
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• Evidence of VEGF expression
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• Pattern of angiogenesis

Does the pattern of angiogenesis change as tumors develop?

Microvascular "hot spots" correlate with overall survival¹⁹

In a study of 110 patients with lymph node–positive breast cancer, Guidi et al found a statistically significant correlation between the presence of high microvessel density "hot spots" in lymph node metastases and poor overall survival.¹⁹

Guidi AJ, Berry DA, Broadwater G, et al. Association of angiogenesis in lymph node metastases with outcome of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000;92(6):486-492. Adapted by permission of Oxford University Press.

Researchers often evaluate tumors over several phases of their life cycle to determine the pathological stepwise progression from early to metastatic disease. Using this methodology, Guidi and colleagues hypothesized that the pattern of angiogenesis would differ from early- to late-stage breast tumors. In an assessment of 110 breast cancer patients (47 with primary tumors and 91 with metastatic axillary lymph nodes), the presence of microvascular "hot spots" in lymph node metastases (but not in primary tumors) was a significant predictor of disease-free survival (P=0.006) and overall survival (P=0.004).¹⁹ This suggests that metastatic tumors may have different angiogenic properties and behavior than primary tumors.^19,20

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