Study on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin in the serum of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at the time of before and after operation and postoperative recurrence

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and endostatin (ES) in the serum of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer at the time of before and after operation and postoperative recurrence. Methods The serum samples were obtained from 7 patients with postoperative lung metastasis and 21 patients with local recurrence after operation.The serum samples from 30 normal subjects were obtained as control.The levels of serum VEGF and serum endostatin were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The levels of serum thyroglobulin were analyzed by Chemiluminescence method.Statistical analysis was performed with t-test using SPSS 13.0 software.Pearson correlation analysis was performed for the correlation between serum VEGF and serum ES and thyroglobulin.Results The levels of serum VEGF and serum ES in patients with lung metastasis 3 weeks after operation were significantly lower than those before operation and at the time of recurrence [ VEGF:( 210.3 ± 30.4) ng/L vs (412.6 ±57.3) ng/L and(619.5 ± 126.4) ng/L,P ＜0.05 ;ES:(25.2 ±6.2)ng/L vs (34.3 ±7.6)ng/L and (38.6 ± 8.7) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05 ].And the levels of serum VEGF and serum ES in patients with local regional recurrence 3 weeks after operation were significantly lower than those before operation and at the time of recurrence [ VEGF:(209.3 ±36.7) ng/L vs (399.4 ±56.3) ng/L and (406.5 ±59.2) ng/L,P ＜0.05;ES:(25.7 ± 4.7 ) ng/L vs ( 35.2 ± 6.8 ) ng/L and ( 31.2 ± 7.6 ) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05 ].The expression of serum VEGF and serum ES in patients with pulmonary metastasis were significantly higher than those in patients with local regional postoperative recurrence ( P ＜ 0.05 ).There was a linear positive correlation between serum VEGF,serum ES and thyroglobulin levels in the patient with recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer( r =0.752,0.349,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusion The serum VEGF and serum ES level were significantly elevated in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer before operation and recurrence.The serum VEGF and serum ES were importantindicators to reveal the biological behaviors of differentiated thyroid cancer. Key words: Differentiated thyroid cancer; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Endostatin