title: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a tumour marker in soft tissue sarcoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent tumour-produced angiogenic factor. In this study serum levels of VEGF were measured before treatment and during follow-up in patients undergoing primary treatment for suspected soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to assess the value of serum VEGF as a tumour marker.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 2001 and September 2002, serum VEGF levels were analysed prospectively in 144 patients undergoing primary treatment (surgery, 123; cytotoxic chemotherapy, ten; oral imatinib, eight; radiotherapy, three) for suspected soft tissue sarcoma. Serum VEGF was measured by immunoassay before treatment, in the immediate postoperative interval in patients undergoing surgery, and during follow-up. Serum VEGF concentrations were also measured in 15 healthy volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median pretreatment serum VEGF levels were significantly raised in patients with grade 2 and grade 3 sarcomas compared with concentrations in patients with benign lesions (413 and 467 versus 233 pg/ml respectively; P=0.007 and P=0.003 respectively). In patients with tumours that had a high level of VEGF expression before treatment, follow-up measurements reflected disease status after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum VEGF expression correlated with grade in soft tissue sarcoma and reflected response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Sarcoma and Melanoma Unit, Department of Surgery, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mostyn-Jones
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Koban
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: A'Hern
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate