Relationship of Endothelial Cell Proliferation to Thmor Vascularity in Human Breast Cancer

Abstract

Current studies of tumor angiogenesis rely on the concept that endothelium proliferates 30-40 times faster in tumors than in normal tissues. This evidence is based on histological autoradiographic data largely from animal studies. To assess endothelial cell proliferation in human cancer we used the more sensitive and specific technique of immunohistochemistry. We measured the frequency and distribution of endothelial cell proliferation and examined their relationship to tumor cell proliferation. For the first time, we also correlated endothelial and tumor cell proliferation with tumor vascularity. Twenty breast carcinomas from patients exposed to bromodeoxyuridine 3-8 h prior to surgery were..