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Quantification of angiogenesis stimulators in children with solid malignancies
Author(s) -
Pavlakovic Helena,
Von Schütz Volker,
Rössler Jochen,
Koscielniak Ewa,
Havers Werner,
Schweigerer Lothar
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0215(20010601)92:5<756::aid-ijc1253>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - basic fibroblast growth factor , angiogenesis , medicine , vascular endothelial growth factor , urinary system , medulloblastoma , pathology , immunology , cancer research , growth factor , vegf receptors , receptor
Humoral angiogenesis stimulators including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of solid malignancies. However, it has remained unclear whether both stimulators contribute to the development and progression of solid malignancies of children. The aim of the present study was to determine whether VEGF and bFGF are elevated in body fluids of children with solid malignancies and, if so, whether these elevated levels correlate with clinical parameters. Using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), we quantified VEGF and bFGF in serum ( n = 107) and urine ( n = 57) of healthy children and of children with solid malignancies (serum: n VEGF = 69, n bFGF = 60; urine: n VEGF or n bFGF = 13). Finally, we compared patients' pre‐therapeutic and post‐therapeutic levels. Serum VEGF was elevated in children with several solid tumors (Ewing's sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumours, malignant lymphoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and medulloblastoma). In contrast, serum bFGF, urinary bFGF or urinary VEGF were not significantly elevated. Upon successful therapy, elevated pre‐therapeutic serum VEGF levels declined to levels present in healthy children. VEGF could contribute to the progression of pediatric solid malignancies, and serum VEGF could be used to monitor therapeutic response. Furthermore, the determination of angiogenesis stimulators could identify patients eligible for anti‐angiogenic therapy. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.