Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1alpha), VEGF-C and VEGF-D in non-invasive and invasive breast ductal carcinomas.

Abstract

These findings suggest that HIF-1alpha is expressed in the early stage of mammary carcinogenesis, in which the expression correlates with necrosis in the DCISs and with VEGF-C expression in the IDCs, the latter resulting in a higher frequency of metastasis to regional lymph nodes.