Abstract: BACKGRAND ＆ AIM： To investigate the relationship among the expression of connexin43(Cx43)，connexin26(Cx26)，vascular endothelial growth factor-C(VEGF-C)，Estrogen receptor(ER)，Progesterone receptor(PR)； the clinicopathological characteristics in breast carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS： A total of 125 paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma and non-carcinomatous breast tissues were stained using S-P method, and the patients' prognosis significance was analyzed by Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model according to the clinical follow-up material. RESULTS： The expression levels of Cx43 and Cx26 were significantly lower in the tumors (38.74％ and 43.24％ respectively) than that in the non-carcinomatous breast tissues (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). And the expression level of VEGF-C was significantly higher in the tumors (47.75％) than that in the non-carcinomatous breast tissues (P<0.05). Out of 53 VEGF-C positive staining, the positive rate of lymph node metastasis was 37(69.81％), which was significantly higher than that in the no lymph node metastasis group (P<0.05). By the Cox regression model, VEGF-C, Cx26, and lymph node metastasis were closely associated with prognosis. VEGF-C and lymph node metastasis were risk factors. The hazard ratios of VEGF-C expression and lymph node status were 11.118 and 10.126,respectively . P=0.007 and 0.042, respectively. There was significant association with prognosis. CONCLUSION： The lack of Cx43, Cx26 gap junctions is a main feature of human breast cancer tissues. Breast tumor malignant degree increased with Cx43 and Cx26 positive expression decreased. It was significantly higher in VEGF-C positive expression and ER, PR negative expression in lymph node metastasis group than that in the no lymph node metastasis group. VEGF-C, Cx26 and Lymph node metastasis status may be indicators of prognosis of breast carcinoma, which would be helpful in assessment prognosis and selecting the higher risk cases for further treatment.

Key words: breast carcinoma, connexin43, connexin26, vascular endothelial growth factor-C, immnuohistochemistry, prognosis