Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels and tumor molecular marker expression in patients with secondary-edematous breast cancer during treatment dynamics

Background. Secondary-edematous breast cancer is characterized by high aggressiveness and a lack of clear prognostic markers. Studying the role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in relation to the expression of steroid hormone receptors, HER2/neu, and Ki-67 in tumors allows assessment of the tumorʼs aggressiveness and helps optimize treatment. Purpose – to investigate the relationship between serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor levels and the expression of molecular markers in tumors of secondary- edematous breast cancer patients during treatment dynamics, and to determine the prognostic factors of the disease course. Materials and Methods. Fifty-four Secondary Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer patients with T4bN0-2M0 were examined and underwent comprehensive treatment: neoadjuvant polychemotherapy (AC×4-D×4 or AC×4-P×12), surgical intervention, and radiation therapy. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor levels in serum were determined before and after treatment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and ER, PR, HER2/ neu, and Ki-67 expression in the tumor was determined immunohistochemically. Results. A significantly increased serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor level was found in secondary-edematous breast cancer patients compared to the control group. Elevated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor correlated with a higher tumor grade, Ki-67 overexpression, negative steroid hormone receptor status, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. After treatment, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor levels decreased in patients with tumor regression, while in those with disease progression, VEGF remained consistently high. Conclusions. Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is an important marker of tumor aggressiveness and treatment response in secondary-edematous breast cancer. Monitoring Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor alongside tumor molecular markers can be used to predict disease progression and select treatment strategies.