RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Concentration in Sera and Tumor Effusions from Patients with Ovarian Carcinoma
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 1149
OP 1158
VO 24
IS 2C
A1 A. HARLOZIŇSKA
A1 P. SEDLACZEK
A1 J. KULPA
A1 M. GRYBOS
A1 E. WOJCIK
A1 A. VAN DALEN
A1 R. EINARSSON
YR 2004
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/2C/1149.abstract
AB VEGF is an important angiogenic cytokine with a critical role in tumor angiogenesis. VEGF concentrations were measured using an ELISA assay, detecting VEGF165 isoform, in tumor cyst and/or ascitic fluids and in sera of 86 patients with malignant neoplasms and in 53 patients with benign ovarian neoplasms. VEGF levels were significantly elevated in the sera and cyst fluids of carcinoma patients compared with patients who had benign neoplasms. In carcinoma patients, statistically higher VEGF levels were detected in tumor effusions than in corresponding sera. The differences between VEGF values in sera and tumor effusions in relation to histological subtypes of ovarian carcinoma and FIGO stages were statistically insignificant. High VEGF levels in ascitic fluids appeared to be significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, besides FIGO stage and age of patients, only serum VEGF concentration was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. The elevated VEGF levels in sera and tumor effusions of patients with FIGO stages I/II indicated that angiogenesis promoted by VEGF is a continuous process, independent of clinical advancement of the disease. Copyright© 2004 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved