title: Prognostic value of serum Tie-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Angiogenesis is a very essential process in tumor biology. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin and its receptor (TIE-2) are very important mediators for angiogenesis. In this trial, we aimed to analyze the role of these mediators on chemotherapy response and survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty four cancer patients and 22 healthy controls were included in the study. Baseline serum samples were obtained from all participants and post-chemotherapy serum samples were obtained from the cancer patients. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor and TIE-2 levels were measured with quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline serum vascular endothelial growth factor level was 187.5 and 120.2 pg/ml in cancer patients and the control group (p = 0.006). The baseline serum TIE-2 level was 615.9 and 242.5 pg/ml in the patients and control group (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between patients' baseline and post-chemotherapy VEGF levels (111.9 pg/ml; p < 0.001) and patients' baseline and post-chemotherapy TIE-2 levels (344.5 pg/ml; p < 0.001). The overall survival rate was better in patients who had lower baseline VEGF and TIE-2 levels and whose TIE-2 level had decreased with chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher baseline TIE-2 and VEGF levels are related and worsen survival. Decreasing levels of TIE-2, but not VEGF, which, with chemotherapy, may be predictive for survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Physiology, Department of Ear & Nose & Throat, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey. mmetinseker@yahoo.com.tr  
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Seker
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sancaktar
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Acibucu
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Filiz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deveci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bahceci
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kacan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Babacan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuce
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2