Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in Ewing's sarcoma.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent stimulator of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of serum VEGF as a diagnostic, predictive and prognostic marker in Ewing's sarcoma.


METHODS
Patients with histopathologically proven diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma without prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy were invited to take part in the study. Pre-chemotherapy, post-chemotherapy and post-surgery blood samples were collected for analysis of serum VEGF levels. Blood samples from ten sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were collected for estimation of VEGF levels to act as control. Human VEGF Elisa kit (Bender Medsystem, Austria) was used to assess the serum VEGF levels.


RESULTS
A total of nine cases of Ewing's sarcoma were included in the study. Mean age in the group was 12.44 years (range, seven to 18 years). Mean and median serums VEGF level in the study population were 4,547.78 pg/ml and 3,780.00 pg/ml, respectively. Ten age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were selected as controls. No significant correlation was obtained between serum VEGF, age, sex and tumour size. Mean serum VEGF was significantly raised in the study group as compared to controls (p = 0.001). We observed a significant decline in serum VEGF level following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.008). No correlation could be established between serum VEGF level pulmonary metastasis and overall survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum VEGF might have a role as a diagnostic and predictive marker in patients with Ewing's sarcoma.
Orthopaedics, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. ramakantaiims2007@gmail.com
Ramakant
R
Kumar
Sukesh
S
Sankineani
Shishir
S
Rastogi
Shyam
S
Prakash
Sameer
S
Bakhshi
Mehar C
MC
Sharma
Shahalam
S
Khan
Gopal
G
Sagar D C
Laxman
L
Rijal
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A