Serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 levels in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer.

AIM:Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we quantified the serum vascular endothelial growth factor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to evaluate the role of VEGFR-3 in ESCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Ninety five patients with ESCC were studied. Pre-therapy and preoperative samples were stored and ELISA was used to designate the concentrations of VEGFR-3. RESULTS:The serum values of VEGFR-3 were significantly higher in patients with ESCC than in healthy donors (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:The results imply a very good sensitivity of VEGFR-3 in ESCC. VEGFR-3 may be a good diagnostic biomarker for ESCC. KEY WORDS:Biomarker, ESCC, VEGFR-3.