J Korean Surg Soc.  2003 Mar;64(3):224-228.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Microvessel Tumor Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinomas

• Hong SW
• Whang DH
• Paik IW
• Lee HS

Abstract

PURPOSE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor in a number of cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the serum level of VEGF in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS: Serum VEGF was measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The correlation between serum VEGF level and clinico-pathological data of HCC patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The serum VEGF levels significantly increased with increasing tumor size and platelets count. The mean serum VEGF level in HCC patients with microvessel tumor invasion was higher than in those without microvessel tumor invasion. CONCLUSION: A high serum VEGF level may be an indicator of tumor progression and an important predictor of microvessel tumor invasion.

Keyword

Vascular endothelial growth factor; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Microvessel tumor invasion

MeSH Terms

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Humans
Microvessels*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A