Vascular endothelial growth factor in the sera and effusions of patients with malignant and nonmalignant disease

Abstract

Depending on the tumor type, elevated levels of VEGF are detectable in the serum of only 0-20% of patients with localized cancer but in 11-65% of patients with metastatic cancer. Of cytology-proven malignant ascites or peritoneal exudates from various malignancies, 46-96% show VEGF levels above the upper limit (95th percentile, 676 pg/mL) of nonmalignant ascites. Maximum VEGF concentrations in malignant effusions indicate abundant local release of VEGF within the pleural or peritoneal cavity. These results suggest that VEGF might play an important role in tumor progression and the formation of malignant effusions. Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical value of soluble VEGF as a tumor marker, a prognostic factor, and a surrogate indicator of tumor angiogenesis.