title: Serum vascular endothelial growth factor per platelet count in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlations with clinical parameters and survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Platelets have been reported to act as transporters of tumor-originated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), contributing to tumor angiogenesis and progression. Serum VEGF per platelet count, as an indirect theoretical estimate of VEGF in platelets, may predict the malignant potential of tumors. However, its prognostic significance is still unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a highly vascular tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum VEGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared serum VEGF, platelet count and serum VEGF per platelet count in 52 HCC patients, 26 liver cirrhosis patients and 30 healthy controls. The relation of serum VEGF per platelet count with clinicopathologic variables of HCC patients and the prognostic significance were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum VEGF per platelet count in HCC patients was higher than in liver cirrhosis patients and healthy controls (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation between serum VEGF and platelet count in HCC patients (r = 0.751, P < 0.01). Serum VEGF per platelet count was higher in patients with advanced stage and portal vein thrombosis (P < 0.01). Patients with high serum VEGF per platelet count (>1.4 pg/10(6)) showed poor response to treatment and shorter overall survival (P < 0.01). Serum VEGF per platelet count was an independent prognostic factor with the presence of portal vein thrombosis (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum VEGF per platelet count could be a feasible prognostic indicator during the follow-up of patients with HCC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, 126-1 Anam-dong 5-ga, Sungbuk-ku, Seoul 136-705, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In Keun
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyong Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: So Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sang Cheul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jae Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Chul Won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Byung Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Yeul Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors