Angiogenic cytokines in serum and plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcimona
INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is critical for tumour growth and dissenmination. Some angiogenic cytokines can be detected in the serum/plasma, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiogenin (ANG) and endostatin. VEGF, bFGF and ANG are pro-angiogenic cytokines implicated in tumour angiogenesis. Endostatin is antiangiogenic and arises from tumour-induced porteolysis. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether there are differences between healthy controls and patients head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for each cytokine; and whether there is any association with clinico-pathological variables or prognosis. METHODS: Serum/plasma was assayed by ELISA in the following numbers of patients and controls: serum VEGF (80 : 80); plasma VEGF (32 : 15); serum bFGF and ANG (25 : 15); and plasma endostatin (26:15). RESULTS: Serum VEGF is raised in patients with HNSCC (P < 0.001) but there were no associations with clinico-pathological variables or outcome. Serum VDGF correlated with platelet count (P = 0.05) and plasma VDGF (P = 0.02) although the latter is substantially lower (P < 0.001). bFGF and ANG were not raised in patients with HNSCC. Plasma endostatin was lower in patients with HNSCC than controls (P = - 0.02). However, with the HNSCC group endostatin was positively associated with disease recurrence (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that plasma endostatin may be a clinically useful prognostic marker in patients with HNSCC. Serum VDGF arises from platelet aggregation and does not reflect tumour load, dissemination or prognosis. bFGF and ANG are not raised in patients with HNSCC.
Homer
JJ
(Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, University of Hull, Hull, UK).
Greenman
J
Stafford
ND