Vascular endothelial growth factor in ovarian cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) levels in ovarian cancer patients, in patients with benign ovarian tumors and healthy women. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty Charles University, Prague and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove. Department of Immunology and Alergology, Medical Faculty Charles University, Prague and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove. METHODS: VEGF was estimated by ELISA (R&D Systems). RESULTS: We found that plasma VEGF levels were associated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (FIGO I+II, n=8) Med = 425,53 pg/ml (range 142,30-982,40 pg/ml), (FIGO III+IV, n=29) Med = 941,48 pg/ml (range202,10-2857,80 pg/ml) (p=0,03). Patients with primary ovarian cancer (n=37) had a significantly higher plasma VEGF level Med = 829,93 pg/ml (range142,30-2857,80 pg/ml), compared with patients with benign ovarian tumors (n=15) Med = 426,28 pg/ml (range 32,00-922,20 pg/ml) and healthy women (n=21) Med = 283,13 pg/ml (range 80,50-735,20 pg/ml) (p=0,0003). VEGF levels were lower in plasma (n=79) Med = 575,49 pg/ml (range 55,80-2185,00 pg/ml) compared with VEGF levels in ascitic fluid (n=37) Med = 745,74 pg/ml (range 142,30-2185,00 pg/ml) (p=0,04) in ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Plasma VEGF assay before primary treatment and the changes during the other treatment should contribute to better understanding of angiogenesis in ovarian cancer patients. Plasma VEGF correlates with the stage of primary ovarian cancer.