title: [Effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on serum vascular endothelial growth factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients--a report of 43 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prognosis of esophageal cancer is not only affected by TNM stage but also by the level of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (S-VEGF). This study was to investigate the effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on S-VEGF in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to explore the correlation of S-VEGF to the prognosis of ESCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were obtained from ESCC patients, treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from Dec. 2002 to May 2004, before treatment and 1 month after treatment. The serum samples from sex- and age-matched healthy donors were used as controls. Two courses of chemotherapy, comprised of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, were given during radiotherapy at 4-week intervals. S-VEGF level was measured by ELISA. The changes of S-VEGF level before and after treatment were observed, and its correlation to progress-freely survival rate of ESCC patients was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  S-VEGF level was significantly higher in ESCC patients before and 1 month after treatment than in healthy controls [(516.27+/-67.89) ng/L and (347.19+/-35.42) ng/L vs. (294.20+/-23.40) ng/L, P<0.01, P=0.002]; concurrent chemoradiotherapy significantly reduced S-VEGF level (P<0.01). S-VEGF level before treatment was significantly lower in the patients achieved complete remission than in those achieved partial remission or had progressive disease [(345.82+/-76.29) ng/L vs. (669.37+/-99.04) ng/L, P =0.020]. The 1-year progress-freely survival rate was 0 in the patients with S-VEGF level of > 516.27 ng/L before treatment and >347.19 ng/L after treatment, 17% in the patients with S-VEGF level of > 516.27 ng/L and <347.19 ng/L, respectively, 57% in the patients with S-VEGF level of < 516.27 ng/L and >347.19 ng/L, respectively, and 72% in the patients with S-VEGF level of < 516.27 ng/L and <347.19 ng/L, respectively (P= 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S-VEGF level is higher in ESCC patients than in healthy control. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy could reduce S-VEGF level in ESCC. The changes of S-VEGF level before and after treatment may provide prognostic information for ESCC patients.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiu-Shen
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meng-Zhong
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chang-Qing
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Nian-Ji
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012074:Remission Induction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil