Serum human chorionic gonadotropin is associated with angiogenesis in germ cell testicular tumors.
BACKGROUND
Germ cell testicular tumors have survival rate that diminishes with high tumor marker levels, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG may regulate vascular neoformation through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our purpose was to determine the relationship between hCG serum levels, angiogenesis, and VEGF expression in germ cell testicular tumors.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of 101 patients. Serum levels of hCG, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase were measured prior to surgery. Vascular density (VD) and VEGF tissue expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and underwent double-blind analysis.


RESULTS
Histologically, 46% were seminomas and 54%, non-seminomas. Median follow-up was 43 +/- 27 months. Relapse was present in 7.5% and mortality in 11.5%. Factors associated with high VD included non-seminoma type (p = 0.016), AFP > or = 14.7 ng/mL (p = 0.0001), and hCG > or = 25 mIU/mL (p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the only significant VD-associated factor was hCG level (p = 0.04). When hCG levels were stratified, concentrations > or = 25 mIU/mL were related with increased neovascularization (p < 0.0001). VEGF expression was not associated with VD or hCG serum levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study that relates increased serum hCG levels with vascularization in testicular germ cell tumors. Hence, its expression might play a role in tumor angiogenesis, independent of VEGF expression, and may explain its association with poor prognosis. hCG might represent a molecular target for therapy.
Arrieta
Oscar
O
Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico. ogar@servidor.unam.mx
Michel Ortega
Rosa Mayela
RM
Angeles-Sánchez
Julián
J
Villarreal-Garza
Cynthia
C
Avilés-Salas
Alejandro
A
Chanona-Vilchis
José G
JG
Aréchaga-Ocampo
Elena
E
Luévano-González
Arturo
A
Jiménez
Miguel Angel
MA
Aguilar
José Luis
JL
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase