Relationship between plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and serum levels of interleukin-12 in patients with colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be the most potent angiogenic factor in the numerous malignant tumors and a prognostic indicator for cancer patients. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine that has potent anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activities. Recently, it has been suggested that IL-12 regulates VEGF in a murine breast cancer model.


METHODS
Blood from 26 patients with colorectal cancer was obtained prior to surgery. Plasma levels of VEGF and serum levels of IL-12 were assessed using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. We investigated the preoperative relationships between plasma levels of VEGF, serum levels of IL-12 and clinicopathological factors in patients with colorectal cancer.


RESULTS
Although not statistically significantly, high plasma levels of VEGF and low serum levels of IL-12 tended to occur with more advanced colorectal cancer. Plasma levels of VEGF in patients who had circumferential involvement of the tumor greater than 1/2 were only significantly increased. The preoperative relationship between plasma levels of VEGF and serum levels of IL-12 tended to be negatively correlated.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that high plasma levels of IL-12 or low serum levels of IL-12 may be observed in more advanced colorectal cancer patients. Thus, these patients may require additional immunochemotherapy after surgery. IL-12 may regulate VEGF in the patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Nakayama
Y
Y
Department of Surgery 1, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kita-kyushyu, Japan.
Sako
T
T
Shibao
K
K
Onitsuka
K
K
Nagashima
N
N
Hirata
K
K
Nagata
N
N
Itoh
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D018664:Interleukin-12