Expression of survivin and VEGF-C in breast cancer tissue and its relation to lymphatic metastasis

Purpose: To study the expression of survivin and VEGF-C in breast cancer tissue and its relation to lymphatic metastasis. Methods: The expression level of survivin and VEGF-C in breast cancer tissue is determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR). Results: Among the 60 breast cancer tissues, the percentage of positive expression of survivin or VEGF-C was 85.0% and 78.3%, respectively. The expression rate of VEGF-C was 84.3% (43/51), 44.4% (4/9) in the survivin positive and negative expression group, respectively. Linear correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient of survivin and VEGF-C in breast cancer was 0.80 (p = 0.035), which indicates a positive correlation between the two biomarkers. Conclusions: Survivin and VEGF-C are highly expressed in breast cancer tissues with a positive correlation. The regulation of survivin expression can cause excessive expression of VEGF-C, leading to the generation of breast cancer lymphangiogenesis, thus causing lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast cancer; Lymphatic metastasis; Survivin; Vascular endothelial growth factor-C

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