Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) constitute about 2% of all malignant neoplasms, and the angiogenesis process in these tumors is still of a great interest. Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is an angiogenesis inhibitor, while vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is one of the main factors promoting vascular formation. The subject of this study was to assess serum concentration of these factors in patients with diagnosed NEN and in control group. Methods. The study group consisted of 120 patients with diagnosed NENs, while the control group consisted of 69 healthy volunteers. The concentrations of VASH-1 and VEGF-A in serum were tested using the ELISA. We also analyzed the association of the concentration of these factors with demographic data (e.g., age and gender), body mass index (BMI), primary tumor location, histological grade, metastasis, clinical staging, selected biochemical parameters and markers of NENs, and information on smoking habits. Results. The mean concentration of VASH-1 was 218.8 ± 359.8 pg/ml in the study group and 973.1 ± 1239.4 pg/ml in the control group, that difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the NEN group, the highest concentration of VASH-1 was in patients with pancreatic NENs in relation to NENs with different location of the primary tumor (p < 0.05). Negative correlation was found between the concentration of VASH-1 and serotonin (rS = −0.19, p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed for VEGF-A (p = 0.658). Conclusions. Patients with NENs showed lower serum level of VASH-1 in comparison to healthy volunteers. The highest level of VASH-1 was observed in tumors localized in pancreas. This might reflect the relevant function of VASH-1 in NENs and requires further evaluation to further knowledge of angiogenesis in NENs. Furthermore, the serum concentration of VEGF-A showed no statistical differences and probably does not have diagnostic value in this group of patients.
Highlights
Neuroendocrine neoplasms/tumors (NENs/NETs) constitute about 2% of all malignant tumors, and the angiogenesis process in these tumors is still of a great interest
According to the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging systems, 46 patients in our study were in stage I, 16 patients in stage II, 22 patients in stage III, and 35 patients in stage IV [2]
Correlations were found in the study group between age and glucose concentration and between body mass index (BMI) and age, as well as between BMI and glucose and triglyceride levels
Summary
Neuroendocrine neoplasms/tumors (NENs/NETs) constitute about 2% of all malignant tumors, and the angiogenesis process in these tumors is still of a great interest. They originate from cells of the diffuse endocrine system (DES). The detection level of neuroendocrine neoplasms has been increasing in recent years [1, 2]. About 70% of them are located in the gastrointestinal tract (gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN)). The classification of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms is based on the assessment of their histological maturity. According to the recommendations of the American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/ UICC) and the WHO classification from 2017, a group of highly differentiated neoplasms was distinguished.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
