Kinetics of postoperative serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)--can it be used to predict curative resections in colorectal cancer?
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered to be probably the most important and final mediator of neovascularisation. We have shown that VEGF can predict stage in colorectal cancer (Clin Cancer Res 1998, 17). This study was conducted to study the kinetics of serum VEGF after colorectal resections over ten postoperative days.


METHODS
The study comprised 154 healthy controls and 108 colorectal resections (79 curative, 15 palliative and 14 benign). Samples were collected at 4-6 hours, days 1,3,5,7 and 10 post surgery.


RESULTS
Six-hour levels were significantly lower in the curative group (p < 0.0005) but not in the benign and palliative groups (p = 0.27 and 0.3, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity at 20% cut-off fall in VEGF gives 83.5% sensitivity with 80% specificity in predicting curative resection.


CONCLUSIONS
Early postoperative serum VEGF levels show significant fall and may help to identify the oncological status of colorectal cancer resections.
Kumar
Harish
H
Academic Surgical Unit, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, U.K. Kamalharish@aol.com
Heer
Kamal
K
Duthie
Graeme S
GS
Monson
John R T
JR
D000328:Adult; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood; D010166:Palliative Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors