OBJECTIVETo study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transcription factor E26 transformation-specific-1 (ETS-1) in breast carcinoma and its effect on angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis.

METHODSIn situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (streptomycin avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex, SP) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and ETS-1 in breast carcinoma.

RESULTSVEGF mRNA and its protein were highly expressed in tumor cells of breast carcinoma. The positive rate was 75% (36/48) and 70.8% (34/48) respectively. There was almost no expression of VEGF in vascular endothelial cells. Over expression of ETS-1 was seen in both breast carcinoma and endothelial cells. The positive rate of ETS-1 mRNA and protein in carcinoma cells was 85.4% (41/48) and 79.2% (38/48) respectively. The microvessel density was significantly higher in VEGF and ETS-1 highly expressed groups than that in the low expressed groups (P < 0.01). Both VEGF and ETS-1 expressions were well correlated with the histological grade and lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF and ETS-1 can promote angiogenesis in breast carcinoma and correlate with tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis. The expression of VEGF and ETS-1 might be considered to be a reference indicator for determining the angiogenesis and invasion of breast carcinoma.