BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between Doppler ultrasound blood flow parameters and angiogenesis and proliferation activity in breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled breast cancer patients (n=55) and benign tumor patients (n=40) from Tengzhou Central People’s Hospital from Mar 2014 to Dec 2016. Doppler ultrasound examination was conducted to determine blood flow parameters, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments were performed to determine the protein expression of angiogenesis genes, cell proliferation genes, and tumor-suppressor genes.

RESULTS: Compared with benign tumors, the maximum velocity (Vmax) and resistance index (RI) were significantly different in I–II stage and III–IV stage breast cancer (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). IHC assay showed that VEDGF165, NRP-1, SphK1, CD31, YAP, CTGF, and Gli2 proteins expressions were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). PTEN and MFN2 protein expressions of breast cancer patients were significantly lower (P<0.01 or P<0.001, respectively) compared with those of benign tumor patients. VEDGF165, NRP-1, SphK1, CD31, YAP, CTGF, and Gli2 proteins expressions were positively correlated with Vmax and negatively correlated with RI in breast cancer. PTEN and MFN2 protein expressions were negative correlated with Vmax and positively correlated with RI in breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Decreased RI and increased Vmax are correlated with angiogenesis, proliferation, and tumor suppression in breast cancer.

Keywords: Genes, Tumor Suppressor, Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 3, Saralasin, Blood Flow Velocity, Breast Neoplasms, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color, Vascular Resistance