Mammaglobin-A, VEGFR3, and Ki67 in Human Breast Cancer Pathology and Five Year Survival

BACKGROUND/METHODS: This study determines the co-expression of mammaglobin-A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR3) and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue samples from 80 patients undergoing breast surgery (cancer or benign disease). The tissue expression was compared with the tumour histopathology and Kaplan Meier 5-year survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: Positive breast tissue expression was observed in 53% samples for mammaglobin, 41% Ki67 and 65% VEGFR3 with a significant positive correlation between Ki67 and VEGFR3 co-expression. Ki67 and VEGFR3 expression correlated with the breast tumour grade and Ki67 expression also correlated with oestrogen receptor (ER) status. At 5 years post-operatively, 6/80 patients had died and 3 patients were alive but had cancer recurrence. High Ki67 expression significantly correlated with poor survival (disease-free and overall). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, VEGFR3 and Ki67 expression but not mammaglobin-A correlated with breast tumour pathology. Positive Ki67 expression was also associated with a poor 5-year survival outcome.