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Predictive significance of preoperative serum VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D, independently and combined with Ca19‐9, for the presence of malignancy and lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer
Author(s) -
Tsirlis Theodoros D.,
Kostakis Alkiviadis,
Papastratis George,
Masselou Kiriaki,
Vlachos Ioannis,
Papachristodoulou Antonios,
Nikiteas Nikolaos I.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.21677
Subject(s) - medicine , malignancy , cancer , gastroenterology , vegf receptors , metastasis , lymph node , adenocarcinoma , oncology
Background Cumulative evidence demonstrate that lymphangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)‐C and ‐D are over‐expressed and associated to lymph node metastasis (LNM) in gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether preoperative serum levels of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D could be useful tumor markers in patients with operable gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods We prospectively examined serum samples from 40 patients and 40 non‐cancer controls using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression analysis was implemented. VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D were studied independently and in combination with Ca19‐9. Results In gastric cancer patients, preoperative VEGF‐C was significantly lower as compared to controls and to postoperative VEGF‐C ( P < 0.001); preoperative VEGF‐D was significantly higher as compared to controls and to postoperative VEGF‐D ( P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis identified a VEGF‐C/VEGF‐D cut‐off value of <2.7 for the presence of gastric cancer, with 83% sensitivity and 75% specificity ( P < 0.001). Backward stepwise selection modeling including sex, age, VEGF‐D and Ca19‐9, predicted the presence of LNM with 86% sensitivity and 82% specificity ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Circulating levels of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D could play a role as biomarkers for serological detection and staging in gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:699–703. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.