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Polymorphisms in the 5′- and 3′-untranslated region of the VEGF gene and sporadic breast cancer risk and clinicopathologic characteristics

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

The wild and the variant alleles of the C936T and G634C vascular endothelial grow factor (VEGF) polymorphisms seem to be linked to higher angiogenic phenotype than the remaining alleles and may act on breast cancer (BC) origin. We investigated the influence of the VEGF C936T and G634C polymorphisms on the occurrence and clinicopathologic characteristics of sporadic breast cancer (SBC) in 235 patients and 235 controls. Peripheral blood samples of all individuals were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction for identification of genotypes and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantification of serum VEGF levels. The variant 634CC genotype isolated (16.2% versus 10.7%, P  = 0.01) and in combination with the wild 936CC genotype (10.6% versus 5.5%, P  = 0.01) were more common in patients than in controls. The carriers of the respective genotypes were under a 2.20-fold and a 3.08-fold increased risks for the disease. Additionally, the frequency of the wild 936CC genotype was higher in patients with tumours of histological grade III compared to those with tumours of I+II histological grades (84.0% versus 64.7%, P  = 0.004) and in patients with positive oestrogen receptor tumours compared to those with tumours lacking oestrogen receptor expression (84.7% versus 73.9%, P  = 0.02). Similar serum values of VEGF were seen in patients and controls with the distinct genotypes of the VEGF. The data suggest that the VEGF wild 936CC and the variant 634CC genotypes constitute inherited determinants of SBC and SBC aggressiveness in Brazil, but are not significant predictors of circulating VEGF levels.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Fundação à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP).

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Rua Alexander Fleming, 181, Cidade Universitária “Zeferino Vaz”, Distrito de Barão Geraldo, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-970, Brazil

    Cristiane Oliveira, Gustavo J. Lourenço, Priscilla M. R. Silva & Carmen S. P. Lima

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Cassio Cardoso-Filho & Maria S. C. Gurgel

  3. Haematology and Haemotherapy Centre, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Maira H. C. Favarelli & Neiva S. L. Gonçales

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  1. Cristiane Oliveira
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  2. Gustavo J. Lourenço
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  3. Priscilla M. R. Silva
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  4. Cassio Cardoso-Filho
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  6. Neiva S. L. Gonçales
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  7. Maria S. C. Gurgel
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  8. Carmen S. P. Lima
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Correspondence to Carmen S. P. Lima.

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Oliveira, C., Lourenço, G.J., Silva, P.M.R. et al. Polymorphisms in the 5′- and 3′-untranslated region of the VEGF gene and sporadic breast cancer risk and clinicopathologic characteristics. Tumor Biol. 32, 295–300 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-010-0121-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-010-0121-x

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