A Model for Breast Cancer-Induced Angiogenesis
Abstract
Tumor growth is absolutely dependent upon angiogenesis. Prior to the development of breast cancer the breast tissue in many women undergoes progressive changes, which include proliferative breast disease and carcinoma in Situ. We examined these pathologic changes for the level of vascularity and the presence of angiogenic growth factors. Our data show that angiogenesis begins in the earliest stages of progression. In addition, even normal breast tissue contains a complex mixture of angiogenic factors that increase in the epithelium, stroma, or infiltrating leukocytes during progression to invasive breast cancer. Using an in vitro organ culture system of normal breast tissue, we found that exogenous angiogenic factors were able to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation but not sprouting. Furthermore, under non-stimulated condition, endothelial cell proliferation was restricted to the adipose tissue and peri-lobular connective tissue. Endothelium within the fibrous stroma could almost never be induced to proliferate. However, isolated normal tissue or tumor fibroblasts were not able to inhibit growth factor-induced angiogenesis in vitro. Our data suggest that angiogenesis is a potential chemopreventive target for the prevention of invasive breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB258564
Entities
People
- Sue C. Heffelfinger
Organizations
- University of Cincinnati