[Relation between vascular endothelial growth factor and reoccurence-metastasis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellar carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, especially in relation to metastasis.


METHODS
Serum VEGF expression level, measured by quatitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, R&D system), was measured before, 3 days and 4 weeks after TACE in 30 patients with HCC. The development of metastasis was evaluated at the end of the third month after TACE.


RESULTS
1. The serum VEGF level in 30 patients was 154.47 +/- 90.17 pg/ml, 2. Post-TACE total serum VEGF level increased as compared with their basal level in 30 patients (P < 0.05) and serum VEGF level had a tendency to increase in patients with heterogeneous uptake of iodized oil and portal vein thrombosis. During the follow-up of 1 - 2 years, metastatic foci were found in 74% (20) patients with SVEGF increase, while none of the patients showing SVEGF decrease developed metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum VEGF expression increase is associated with the development of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.
Xiong
Zheng-ping
ZP
Department of Radiology, Xiang Ya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Yang
Shu-ren
SR
Xiao
En-hua
EH
Zhou
Shun-ke
SK
Zhang
Zi-shu
ZS
Liang
Zhao-yu
ZY
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A