Clinical Implications of VEGF, TGF-β1, and IL-1β in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF165b, interleukin (IL)-1β, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 are known to influence tumor angiogenesis. Clinical implications of these cytokines need to be elucidated.


METHODS
Using clinical data and baseline serum samples of 140 consecutive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who received platinum-based combination chemotherapy, we investigated the association among serum cytokine levels, treatment outcomes, as well as leukocyte and platelet counts.


RESULTS
The median age of patients was 64 years (range, 26 to 86 years). The male to female ratio was 104:36. High TGF-β1 and IL-1β levels were associated with shorter progression-free survival, and high VEGF-A and IL-1β levels were associated with shorter overall survival in the univariate analysis. VEGF165b was not related to the treatment outcomes. Leukocytosis and thrombocytosis were associated with shorter overall survival. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF-A, IL-1β, and leukocytosis were significant prognostic factors (p=0.0497, p=0.047, and p<0.001, respectively). Leukocytosis was not associated with recent pneumonia (p=0.937) and correlated with VEGF-A (p<0.001) and TGF-β1 (p=0.020) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum VEGF-A, TGF-1β, and IL-1β levels, in addition to leukocyte and platelet counts, are shown to be associated with clinical outcomes. Leukocyte and platelet counts are correlated with serum VEGF-A and TGF-β1 levels.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ji-Won
JW
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Youngil
Y
Koh
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dong-Wan
DW
Kim
Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong-Oon
YO
Ahn
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae Min
TM
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sae-Won
SW
Han
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Do-Youn
DY
Oh
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Se-Hoon
SH
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seock-Ah
SA
Im
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae-You
TY
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dae Seog
DS
Heo
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yung-Jue
YJ
Bang
Blood platelets; Interleukin-1beta; Leukocytes; Non-small cell lung carcinoma; Transforming growth factor beta1; Vascular endothelial growth factor