Prognostic significance of TGF beta 1 and TGF beta 3 in human breast carcinoma.

Transforming growth factor beta s (TGF beta s) are multifunctional growth factors which show differential expression both temporally and spatially and exert pleiotropic effects during carcinogenesis. Although all three mammalian isoforms of TGF beta share considerable sequence similarity, they appear to have distinct functions in health and disease, such as embryogenesis, wound healing and tumourigenesis. Much of our knowledge about the relationship between TGF beta s and breast cancer is based on publications on TGF beta 1 but the role of TGF beta 3 in the progression of breast cancer has not been well documented.

Serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1: role as a surrogate marker of angiogenesis.

Background: Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is a prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis. Surrogate markers for angiogenesis would be useful for studying the effectiveness of antiangiogenesis drugs. We examined the potential of three serum glycoproteins-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), endothelial selectin (E-selectin), and von Willebrand factor (VWF)-to serve as markers for angiogenesis.

Breast carcinoma: vascular density determined using CD105 antibody correlates with tumor prognosis.

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. There are conflicting reports as to whether microvessel density (IMD) in breast cancers is associated with prognosis. This could be due to the use of different antibodies to endothelial cell markers, variation in tissue pretreatment protocols, and nonstandardized counting methods.