Abstract
21133 Background: : Aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ), basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF ) and Endostatin in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma ( PHC ) and in patients with metastatic liver disease ( MLD ). Methods: Eighty participants were included in this study and divided into three groups. Exclusion criteria were history of myocardial infraction, stroke, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, pregnancy, trauma and recent surgical treatment. In group A were included 20 normal controls (NC), in group B 30 patients with PHC and in group C 30 patients with MLD. The concentrations of VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin in serum were measured by using enzyme like immunosorbent assay kits (Quantikine R&D systems Inc., Mineapolis.MN). Results: Results are shown in table . In patients with PHC there was a positive correlation between the serum level of VEGF and tumor size (r=0.517, p=0.08), between the serum level of VEGF and platelets number (r=0.573, p=0.003) and between the serum level of VEGF and the serum level of a-fetoprotein (r=0.478, p=0.029). In patients with PHC sensitivity of VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin was found 60%, 54% and 23% respectively. In patients with MLD sensitivity of VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin was found 73%, 73% and 27.5% respectively. However, both in patients with PHC and with MLD specificity of VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin were found 95%, 95% and 100% respectively. Conclusions: Angiogenic factors VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin can distinguish normal controls from patients with liver cancer. Serum levels of VEGF are related to the size of the tumor in patients with PHC. Serum VEGF, bFGF and Endostatin could be useful tumor markers in the diagnosis of PHC and MLD because of their high specificity. The significant correlation of VEGF with a- fetoprotein indicates its importance as a marker in diagnosis of PHC. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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