[Vascular endothelial growth factor in benign and malignant pleural effusions].
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent inducer of capillary permeability and its role as a crucial mediator in pleural fluid formation has been established. This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of VEGF for diagnosing malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions of various causes.


METHODS
VEGF levels in pleural effusions collected from 52 patients (20 with malignant effusion, 12 with tuberculous effusion, 10 with transudative effusion, and 10 with parapneumonic effusion) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The median level of VEGF was significantly higher (P = .001) in exudative effusions (10.16 pg/mL) than in the transudative effusions (3.82 pg/mL). Although malignant pleural fluids tended to have higher median and mean levels of VEGF compared to tuberculous effusions, the difference was not statistically significant. Pleural VEGF levels in subtypes of lung cancer and in malignant effusions of different origins were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, although VEGF levels in pleural effusions of different origins vary, they were only able to discriminate exudates from transudates significantly in this study. Further studies in larger groups of patients are needed to establish the role of VEGF in diagnosing malignant and/or tuberculous effusions.
Kaya
A
A
Department of Chest Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey. akaya@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
Poyraz
B
B
Celik
G
G
Ciledag
A
A
Gulbay
B E
BE
Savas
H
H
Savas
I
I
D001706:Biopsy; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000378:metabolism; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A