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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2008; 14(24): 3879-3883
Published online Jun 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3879
Measurement of circulating levels of VEGF-A, -C, and -D and their receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2 in gastric adenocarcinoma
Mansour S Al-Moundhri, A Al-Shukaili, M Al-Nabhani, B Al-Bahrani, IA Burney, A Rizivi, SS Ganguly
Mansour S Al-Moundhri, M Al-Nabhani, IA Burney, A Rizivi, Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
A Al-Shukaili, Department of Microbiology and Immunology (SQU), Muscat 123, Oman
B Al-Bahrani, National Cancer Institute, Royal Hospital, Muscat 123, Oman
SS Ganguly, Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics (SQU), Muscat 123, Oman
Author contributions: Al-Moundhri MS designed the research project and wrote the manuscript; Al-Moundhri MS, Al-Bahrani B, Burney IA, Rizivi A provided patient samples; Al-Shukaili A, Al-Nabhani M performed the research assay; Ganguly SS, Al-Moundhri MS performed data analysis and interpretation; Al-Bahrani B, Burney IA reviewed the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Mansour S Al-Moundhri, Associate Professor and Consultant Oncologist, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 35, Muscat 123, Oman. mansours@squ.edu.om
Telephone: +968-99437301
Fax: +968-24141198
Received: March 26, 2008
Revised: May 19, 2008
Accepted: May 26, 2008
Published online: June 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To analyze the serum levels and prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -A, -C, and -D, and their receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2 in gastric adenocarcinomas.

METHODS: The serum levels of VEGF family members were measured in 76 control subjects and 76 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These measurements were correlated with clinco-pathological features and survival rates.

RESULTS: The serum levels of VEGF-A and its receptor, VEGFR-1, were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer than in healthy donors (t = 2.3, P = 0.02 and t = 4.2, P < 0.0001, respectively). In contrast, the serum levels of VEGF-D were significantly higher in control subjects than in patients (t = 2.9, P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in serum levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-2 between patients and controls. VEGF-C was associated with advanced tumor stage and presence of metastasis. VEGFR-1 was associated with metastasis, advanced overall stage, tumor differentiation and survival. VEGFR-2 levels were associated with poor tumor differentiation. There was no significant prognostic value for any of the VEGF family members or their receptors except for VEGFR-1 where high levels were associated with a poor overall survival.

CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF levels vary significantly in the same cohort of patients with variable clinico-pathological features and prognostic values. The simultaneous measurement of VEGF receptors levels in sera may overcome the limitations of a single biomarker assay.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Serum; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Oman