Prognostic Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Chang, Young Woon; Jang, Eun Jeong; Jang, Jae Young; Jung, Yong Hee; Lee, Byoung Wook; Han, Yo Seb; Dong, Seok Ho; Kim, Hyo Jong; Kim, Byung Ho; Lee, Joung Il; Chang, Rin

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are important angiogenic factors. The aim of this study was to measure the plasma level of VEGF and bFGF in patients with gastric cancer and to compare them with those of normal controls. Additionally, we examined the relationship between cancer progression and the levels of VEGF, bFGF, serum CEA and CA19-9. METHODS: A total of 108 subjects including 62 normal controls and 46 patients with gastric cancer were recruited. Then, the patients were classified into 3 groups: early cancer group (stage I), advanced gastric cancer group (stage II and III) metastatic gastric cancer group (stage IV). Plasma VEGF and bFGF were measured by ELISA. Serum CEA was measured by radioimmunoassay, and serum CA19-9 was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Plasma levels of VEGF and bFGF were higher in patients with gastric cancer than in normal controls (p<0.001). Furthermore, patients with metastatic gastric cancer have much higher plasma VEGF and bFGF levels than patients with early and advanced gastric cancer. Serum CA19-9 level was higher in metastatic gastric cancer compared with those of other two groups (p<0.001). The cut-off value of VEGF was 50.5 pg/mL and the cut-off value of bFGF was 19 pg/mL to discriminate the patients with gastric cancer from controls. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma VEGF and bFGF as well as serum CA19-9 could be useful markers for gastric cancer progression, especially in metastatic gastric cancer.