Role of vascular endothelial growth factor during breast cancer.

We review the results of experimental and clinical observations on neoangiogenesis in patients with breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important positive regulator of this process. Experiments showed the possibility of using various direct and indirect antiangiogenic means in the therapy of breast cancer, but clinical efficiency of these methods was not proved. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor can serve as a prognostic criterion in breast cancer. Antiangiogenic preparations should not be used as monotherapy, but as the treatment complementary to standard therapy.