Vascular endothelial growth factor in the serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer: correlation with platelet and leukocyte counts.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic peptide expressed in a wide variety of tumors, and it stimulates angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability. Increased expression of VEGF may be associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS:

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of VEGF were determined in serum from 41 patients with untreated NSCLC (Stage: IIB, 3; IIIA, 6; IIIB, 17; IV, 15;

HISTOLOGY:

squamous cell carcinoma, 18; adenocarcinoma. 14; undetermined, 9).

RESULTS:

The median VEGF level was 312 pg/ml, ranging from 70 to 1440 pg/ml. Patients were divided into high VEGF (>312 pg/ml) and low VEGF (< or =312 pg/ml) groups using the median value as a cut-off. There were no significant associations between the serum VEGF levels and various clinicopathologic characteristics including age, gender, histologic type, stage and treatment. A significant positive correlation was found between serum VEGF levels and platelet counts (r=0.495; P=0.001). In addition, serum VEGF levels also correlated with leukocyte counts (r=0.478; P=0.002). In seven patients with measurement of follow-up serum VEGF levels at the end of treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy), the median serum VEGF level significantly decreased after the treatment (416 pg/ml; range, 96-812 pg/ml vs. 185 pg/ml; range, 49-487 pg/ml; P=0.028). However, the median platelet count (317,000/microl; range, 190,000-395,000/microl vs. 246,000/microl; range, 72,000-271,000/microl; P=0.028) and leukocyte count (10,000/microl; range, 8700-17,200/microl vs. 5100/microl; range, 3900-9500/microl; P=0.018) also decreased after the treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in the median survival of the patients between high VEGF group and low VEGF group (8 months vs. 9 months, P=0.647).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although serum VEGF level was significantly associated with platelet and leukocyte counts in NSCLC patients, it did not correlate with tumor burden and prognosis of the patients.

• Authors: J H Choi, H C Kim, H Y Lim, D K Nam, H S Kim, J W Yi, M Chun, Y T Oh, S Kang, K J Park, S C Hwang, Y H Lee, M H Hahn
• Journal: Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Lung Cancer) 2001 Aug-Sep Vol. 33 Issue 2-3 Pg. 171-9 ISSN: 0169-5002 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11551412 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Endothelial Growth Factors
• Lymphokines
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (blood, therapy)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (blood, therapy)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (blood, therapy)
• Endothelial Growth Factors (blood)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Leukocyte Count
• Lung Neoplasms (blood)
• Lymphokines (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Staging
• Platelet Count
• Prognosis
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors