Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a tumour marker in soft tissue sarcoma
AJ Hayes, A Mostyn-Jones, MU Koban… - Journal of British …, 2004 - academic.oup.com
AJ Hayes, A Mostyn-Jones, MU Koban, R A'Hern, P Burton, JM Thomas
Journal of British Surgery, 2004•academic.oup.comBackground Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent tumour-produced
angiogenic factor. In this study serum levels of VEGF were measured before treatment and
during follow-up in patients undergoing primary treatment for suspected soft tissue sarcoma
(STS) to assess the value of serum VEGF as a tumour marker. Methods Between April 2001
and September 2002, serum VEGF levels were analysed prospectively in 144 patients
undergoing primary treatment (surgery, 123; cytotoxic chemotherapy, ten; oral imatinib …
angiogenic factor. In this study serum levels of VEGF were measured before treatment and
during follow-up in patients undergoing primary treatment for suspected soft tissue sarcoma
(STS) to assess the value of serum VEGF as a tumour marker. Methods Between April 2001
and September 2002, serum VEGF levels were analysed prospectively in 144 patients
undergoing primary treatment (surgery, 123; cytotoxic chemotherapy, ten; oral imatinib …
Background
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent tumour-produced angiogenic factor. In this study serum levels of VEGF were measured before treatment and during follow-up in patients undergoing primary treatment for suspected soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to assess the value of serum VEGF as a tumour marker.
Methods
Between April 2001 and September 2002, serum VEGF levels were analysed prospectively in 144 patients undergoing primary treatment (surgery, 123; cytotoxic chemotherapy, ten; oral imatinib, eight; radiotherapy, three) for suspected soft tissue sarcoma. Serum VEGF was measured by immunoassay before treatment, in the immediate postoperative interval in patients undergoing surgery, and during follow-up. Serum VEGF concentrations were also measured in 15 healthy volunteers.
Results
Median pretreatment serum VEGF levels were significantly raised in patients with grade 2 and grade 3 sarcomas compared with concentrations in patients with benign lesions (413 and 467 versus 233 pg/ml respectively; P = 0·007 and P = 0·003 respectively). In patients with tumours that had a high level of VEGF expression before treatment, follow-up measurements reflected disease status after treatment.
Conclusion
Serum VEGF expression correlated with grade in soft tissue sarcoma and reflected response to treatment.
Oxford University Press