Serum VEGF Levels In Patients Research Articles

Serum VEGF and Ang-2 Levels in Infants Before and After Laser Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objectives To investigate VEGF and Ang-2 level changes in the systemic circulation after laser photocoagulation in premature infants with ROP. Methods: Eleven infants (4 girls and 7 boys) had serum levels determined for VEGF and Ang-2, collected 1 day prior to and 7 days after ROP laser therapy. Serum levels of VEGF and Ang-2 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum VEGF levels were significantly lower at 7 days after laser therapy compared to that at 1 day prior to laser therapy (p = 0.045). Serum Ang-2 levels increased significantly at 7 days after laser therapy compared with that at 1 day prior to laser therapy (p = 0.046). Conclusions: Serum VEGF levels in patients with ROP were suppressed and Ang-2 levels elevated significantly after laser therapy. The results suggest that changes in VEGF and Ang-2 serum levels may reflect regression and treatment of ROP.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels before and after Intravitreous Ranibizumab Injection for Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Background Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the common complications of prematurity. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR), an antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug, showed significant benefit for ROP. However, there are concerns about systemic complications of anti-VEGF therapy in preterm infants. Objectives To evaluate serum VEGF level in the systemic circulation after IVR and the complications associated with IVR for the premature infants with ROP. Methods This prospective investigation assessed the serum concentrations of VEGF in ROP patients before and after IVR therapy. All the infants had binocular retinopathy and received IVR 0.25 mg per eye as the primary treatment. Serum samples were collected 1 day prior to injection and 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after IVR treatment. Serum VEGF level was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Fifteen infants (6 girls and 9 boys) were enrolled. The serum concentrations of VEGF 1 day before and 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after a total of 0.5 mg intravitreal injections of ranibizumab were 226.9 (198.4, 272.4), 12.8 (7.0, 22.4), 16 (12.0, 20.8), and 33.7 (24.0, 48.0) pg/ml, respectively. Serum VEGF levels decreased significantly at 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after IVR treatment compared with pretreatment concentration (P < 0.05). Compared to days 1 and 3 after IVR, serum VEGF level at 7 days after IVR treatment increased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion Serum VEGF levels in patients with ROP were suppressed for at least 7 days after IVR treatment. Although the clinical significance of this phenomenon is uncertain, its safety profile requires further investigation.

Association of IDH1 Gene R132H Mutation and Increased Tumor HIF1‐α and Serum VEGF Levels in Primary Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of primary brain tumors. Although mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase‐1 (IDH1) have been identified in a number of cancers, their role in tumor development has not been fully elucidated. In this preliminary study we aimed to investigate the association between IDH1 mutations, tumor tissue HIF‐1 alpha and serum VEGF levels in patients with primary GBM.32 patients (mean age, years: 58 ± 14.0) diagnosed with primary glioblastoma multiforme were screened for IDH1 mutations (R132H, R132S, R132C and R132L) by direct sequencing. Serum VEGF and tumor tissue HIF1‐alpha levels were measured by ELISA. Associations between categoric variables were determined using chi‐square tests. Differences between two groups were compared with t test for continuous variables. Two patients were heterozygous for R132H mutation (6%). Tumor HIF1‐alpha and serum VEGF levels were found to be significantly increased in IDH1‐mutated tumor tissues. Wild Type IDH1 (n=30) Mutant IDH1 (n=2) p Serum VEGF (ng/ml) 0.189 ± 0.08 0.309 ± 0.016 0.0454 Tumor HIF1‐α (ng/ml) 0.710 ± 0.835 5.058 ± 3.75 &amp;lt; 0.0001 Our preliminary results suggest that mutated IDH1 may contributes to carcinogenesis via induction of HIF‐1 alpha pathway in primary GBM.

Anti-TNF-α antibody Infliximab and glucocorticoids reduce serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study

To compare the effect of oral glucocorticoid (GC) therapy with the effect of intravenous anti-TNF-alpha-therapy on serum VEGF levels of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Five RA patients (5/8) who had no prior treatment with DMARDs (Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs) or GCs were administered 20 mg prednisolone daily. Three patients who failed more than one DMARD therapy received infusion with Infliximab (200 mg). VEGF-serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment,and at day 10 or 13 during prednisolone therapy, or 14 days after the first Infliximab infusion. Serum VEGF levels in therapy naive RA patients (GC group) were higher than those in pretreated patients who received Infliximab (median serum VEGF level: 1106 vs 320 pg/ml; P=0.1). Treatment with Infliximab as well as GCs significantly decreased serum VEGF levels after 10-14 days in RA patients (median serum VEGF level after treatment: GC group 559 pg/ml, Infliximab group 92 pg/ml; P=0.01 vs without treatment or preinfusion). Anti-TNF-alpha antibody Infliximab as well as GC are able to decrease serum VEGF levels in patients with active RA. Whether therapeutic reduction of serum VEGF levels is associated with inhibition of angiogenesis should be evaluated in future by imaging of synovial vasculature.

OC171: Ovarian endometrioma vascularization as assessed by transvaginal color Doppler and serum VEGF levels in patients with endometriosis and pelvic pain

OC171: Ovarian endometrioma vascularization as assessed by transvaginal color Doppler and serum VEGF levels in patients with endometriosis and pelvic pain