Preoperative serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a prognostic parameter in ovarian cancer

Abstract

10093 Objective: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels have been shown to be associated with an adverse outcome in patients with ovarian cancer. We studied the clinical value of serum VEGF as an independent prognostic parameter. Methods: In the present study, we ascertained preoperative serum VEGF in a series of 314 patients with ovarian cancer. VEGF serum were evaluated in 45 new cases. Serum VEGF was evaluated prior to primary surgery in all patients. The re-analysis of previously published data comprised a total of 269 cases. Patients were treated between 1990 and 2003. Mean duration of follow-up was 38.9 (32.4) months. Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were included into the present study, patients with other malignant ovarian tumors, borderline tumors, and benign adnexal masses were excluded. Serum VEGF was evaluated prior to primary surgery using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Quantikine Human VEGF Immunoassay; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) in all studies. Results were correlated with clinical data. Results: Median serum VEGF was 407 (238–746) pg/mL. Serum VEGF was associated with serum CA 125 (p=0.003) and residual tumor mass (p=0.02; residual tumor mass < 1cm: 375.5 [209.5–608.9] pg/mL vs. residual tumor mass ≥ 1cm: 625.2 [320.7–1046.7] pg/mL). Serum VEGF was not associated with FIGO stage (p=0.5), lymph node involvement (p=0.2), tumor grade (p=0.2), and patients’ age (p=0.08). In a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis, FIGO stage, residual tumor mass, tumor grade, patients’ age, serum CA 125, and preoperative serum VEGF were associated with overall survival. In a multivariate Cox regression model, higher FIGO stage, presence of residual tumor mass after primary surgery, and higher serum VEGF were independently associated with a shortened overall survival. Planned subgroup analysis was performed for patients with ovarian cancer FIGO stage I. In a multivariate Cox regression model, higher tumor grade and higher serum VEGF were the only independent prognosticators for overall survival. Patients with FIGO stage I ovarian cancer and a serum VEGF ≥ 380 pg/mL had a 8-fold increased risk for experiencing cancer related death. Conclusion: Serum VEGF is an independent prognostic parameter in patients with all stages of ovarian cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.