The angiogenic growth factors HGF and VEGF in serum and plasma from neuroblastoma patients.

Abstract

This study showed that concentrations of HGF and S-VEGF-A are elevated in patients with NB. Furthermore, HGF and S-VEGF-A concentrations correlate to higher stage disease and HGF correlates to genetic markers known to indicate a poor outcome. These observations imply that HGF and VEGF-A have biological roles in NB and suggest the possibility of interference with HGF or VEGF-A signaling as a therapeutic strategy.