| Summary: | Introduction
Tumor angiogenesis is regulated by numerous cytokines and growth factors, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (sVEGFR-2), and galectin-3, playing a significant role in the process. There are conflicting data concerning changes in serum VEGF, sVEGFR-2 and galectin-3 levels in breast cancer (BC) patients during the course of the disease and chemotherapy (CTH). This study aimed to assess the serum levels of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2, and galectin-3 in women starting adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for BC, and their changes during the treatment.
Material and methods
This single-center study enrolled 98 women with non-metastatic BC, including 56 who started adjuvant therapy and 42 preoperative (neoadjuvant/induction) CTH. The serum levels of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2, and galectin-3 were assessed at the beginning of CTH and after 2 subsequent months.
Results
There were no significant differences in the serum levels of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2, and galectin-3 between patients starting adjuvant and preoperative therapy. In addition, there was no correlation between the serum levels and the clinical stage of BC. During CTH, a significant increase in VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2, and galectin-3 was noted, however, without a predictive significance for obtaining complete pathological response (pCR) both for the initial levels and changes in the serum levels.
Conclusions
The serum levels of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2, and galectin-3 do not correlate with the clinical stage or tumor size in patients with non-metastatic BC. The baseline levels of VEGF-A, sVEGFR-2 and galectin-3, and the observed increase in the serum levels of VEGF-A and sVEGFR-2 during CTH do not predict its efficacy.
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