Background: Angiogenesis is a significant prognostic factor in breast cancer, but the factors that control angiogenesis in vivo are not well defined.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate P53 expression in breast cancer and to examine the relationship between P53 overexpression and the degree of angiogenesis.
Methods: A total of 52 paraffin-embedded tumors were evaluated immunohistochemically for expression of P53 and CD34 angiogenesis factor.
Results: The majority of P53 positive cases (82%) demonstrated high level of microvessel density (MVD); 18% demonstrated no CD 34 expression. In contrast there was no variation of CD34 expression among P53 negative tumors.
Conclusion: This data suggests that microvessel density is promoted by P53 overexpression in breast cancer, and is correlated with high histologic grade.