title: Prognostic value of preoperative von Willebrand factor plasma levels in patients with Glioblastoma.
abstract: Circulating biomarker for malignant gliomas could improve both differential diagnosis and clinical management of brain tumor patients. Among all gliomas, glioblastoma (GBM) is considered the most hypervascularized tumor with activation of multiple proangiogenic signaling pathways that enhance tumor growth. To investigate whether preoperative antigen plasma level of von Willebrand Factor (VWF:Ag) might be possible marker for GBM onset, progression, and prognosis, we retrospectively examined 57 patients with histological diagnosis for GBM and 23 meningiomas (MNGs), benign intracranial expansive lesions, enrolled as controls. Blood samples were collected from all the patients before tumor resection. Plasma von Willebrand Factor (VWF):Ag levels were determined by using a latex particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. The median levels of vWF:Ag were significantly higher in GBMs than in meningiomas (MNGs) (183 vs. 133 IU/dL, P = 0.01). The cumulative 1-year survival was significantly shorter in patients with VWF:Ag levels >200 IU/dL than in those with levels <200 IU/dL and increased VWF levels were associated with a threefold higher risk of death in GBM patients. Our data suggest that VWF:Ag could be a circulating biomarker of disease malignancy, that could be considered, in association with other genetic and epigenetic factors, currently available in the GBM management. Future studies should investigate whether plasma VWF:Ag levels could also be used to monitor therapeutic effects and whether it may have a prognostic value.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marfia
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania Elena
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Navone
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fanizzi
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tabano
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pesenti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, LITA-Segrate, University of Milan, via Fratelli Cervi, 93, MI Milan, Segrate, 20090, Italy.
authors.forename: Loubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abdel Hadi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzini
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caroli
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miozzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, LITA-Segrate, University of Milan, via Fratelli Cervi, 93, MI Milan, Segrate, 20090, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Riboni
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rampini
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery and Cell Therapy, Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via F. Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campanella
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014841:von Willebrand Factor
keywords: Angiogenesis; Glioblastoma; brain tumor; glioma.; vascular endothelial growth factor; von Willebrand Factor