title: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin is associated with angiogenesis in germ cell testicular tumors.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico. ogar@servidor.unam.mx
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arrieta
authors.forename: Rosa Mayela
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Michel Ortega
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Angeles-Sánchez
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villarreal-Garza
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avilés-Salas
authors.forename: José G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chanona-Vilchis
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aréchaga-Ocampo
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luévano-González
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase