title: Prognostic value of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be the most powerful angiogenic factor in many malignancies while and several reports have determined serum VEGF to be a prognostic indicator for various malignancies. However, serum VEGF may not be suitable for the measurement of circulating VEGF levels, given that clot formation during the process of collecting sample induces platelet activation and the subsequent release of many cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were obtained prior to surgery from 33 patients with colorectal cancer, and additional samples were obtained 6 months post-operatively from 15 of the 33 patients. Plasma levels of VEGF were assessed using the quantitative sandwich-enzyme immunoassay technique. We investigated the relationships between plasma levels of pre-operative VEGF, prognosis and clinicopathological factors in patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, the relationship between pre-operative and post-operative plasma levels of VEGF obtained at 6 months was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although not significant, a trend was observed for high plasma levels of VEGF to occur with more advanced colorectal cancer. Plasma levels of VEGF were only significantly increased in patients who had recurrence and a worsening of colorectal cancer. In blood samples obtained from 15 patients both prior to surgery and 6 months post-operatively, post-operative mean plasma VEGF tended to decrease relative to the pre-operative level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that high plasma levels of VEGF may be observed in more advanced colorectal cancer patients, especially in patients who develop recurrence or a worsening of their condition. Thus, such patients may require additional immunochemotherapy after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery 1, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kita-kyushyu, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sako
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibao
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: Nie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rempo
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onitsuka
authors.forename: Noritaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minagawa
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akahane
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; 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