Prognostic relevance of serum levels of the angiogenic peptide bFGF in advanced carcinoma of the head and neck treated by primary radiochemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this trial was to analyze the prognostic relevance of the angiogenic peptides basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the serum of patients with advanced carcinoma of the head and neck treated by primary radiochemotherapy.


METHODS
From 1992 to 1995, 26 patients with advanced head and neck cancer (25 stage IV, 1 stage III UICC) were treated according to the protocol of radiochemotherapy with carboplatin. The pretreatment serum levels VEGF, bFGF, and MMP-2 were measured by ELISA, and data were correlated with tumor characteristics and followed up (median time of follow up, 60 months).


RESULTS
An increase in bFGF serum level above the upper limit of normal controls showed a significant correlation with shorter time the of locoregional control (p =.036). In covariant analysis bFGF serum concentration proved to be independent of other prognostic factors like tumor site, age, total tumor volume, and response to therapy. No prognostic relevance of VEGF and MMP-2 serum levels could be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study indicate that the serum concentration of bFGF has prognostic relevance for advanced head and neck cancer.
Dietz
A
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Andreas_Dietz@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Rudat
V
V
Conradt
C
C
Weidauer
H
H
Ho
A
A
Moehler
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D016190:Carboplatin; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2