Quantitation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Interleukin-۶ in Different Stages of Breast Cancer

Background: Determination of the impact of angiogenesis on tumor development and progression is essential. This study aimed to determine the serum levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Interleukin ۶ (IL-۶) in breast carcinoma, and to correlate them with tumor size, lymph node involvement, and cancer stage. Methods: Under aseptic precautions ۵ ml of venous blood was collected from ۳۷ breast cancer patients and ۲۰ healthy females after obtaining due consent and ethical committee clearance. Serum levels of VEGF and IL-۶ were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum IL-۶ and VEGF levels were both significantly greater in patients than controls (P = ۰.۰۰۱, P = ۰.۰۰۱, respectively). The serum IL-۶ and VEGF levels also significantly correlated with TNM staging (P = ۰.۰۰۱, P = ۰.۰۰۱). Serum IL-۶ and VEGF positively correlated with each other (r۲ = ۰.۶۶۸, P = ۰.۰۱). Serum IL-۶ and VEGF levels did not correlate with tumor size (P = ۰.۴۵, P = ۰.۱۷) or lymph node metastasis (P = ۰.۹۵, P = ۰.۶۸). Conclusions: Serum IL-۶ and VEGF were greater in breast cancer patients than controls. The levels increased with advanced tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) staging, thus correlating with the patients’ prognoses. Serum IL-۶ and VEGF levels can be used as diagnostic tools and prognostic factors in breast cancer.