Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C levels as tumor markers in patients with cervical cancer

Abstract

5075 Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C play a crucial role in the regulation of tumor growth and metastasis. This study examined the significance of serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels in relation to the conventional clinicopathologic parameters, response to treatment and survival in patients with cervical cancer. Methods: Between December 1999 and March 2004, serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels were analyzed in 78 patients with cervical cancer undergoing primary treatment (primary surgery 40; radiotherapy 38), as well as in 30 healthy controls. Serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and within 2 weeks after treatment. Results: Serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels were higher in patients with cervical cancer than in the healthy control (p=0.0002 and p=0.0007, respectively). Both VEGF and VEGF-C concentrations were significantly raised in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (vs. normal control: p<0.0001 and p=0.0001, respectively), but not in adenocarcinoma (vs. normal control: p=0.2982 and p=0.7766, respectively). In an analysis of squamous cell carcinoma, the pretherapeutic serum levels of VEGF and VEGF-C were significantly correlated with advanced FIGO stage and large tumor size, but not with lymph node metastasis. The pretherapeutic serum level of VEGF-C was also significantly correlated with recurrence or persistence after treatment. Both serum VEGF and VEGF-C levels were significantly decreased after treatment. Conclusions: The serum levels of both VEGF and VEGF-C have potential usefulness as biological markers of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. No significant financial relationships to disclose.