title: Relationship between plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and serum levels of interleukin-12 in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery 1, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kita-kyushyu, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sako
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibao
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onitsuka
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D018664:Interleukin-12