Cancer Res Treat.  2013 Dec;45(4):325-333.

Clinical Implications of VEGF, TGF-beta1, and IL-1beta in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

• Kim JW
• Koh Y
• Kim DW
• Ahn YO
• Kim TM
• Han SW
• Oh DY
• Lee SH
• Im SA
• Kim TY
• Heo DS
• Bang YJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF165b, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 are known to influence tumor angiogenesis. Clinical implications of these cytokines need to be elucidated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using clinical data and baseline serum samples of 140 consecutive patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who received platinum-based combination chemotherapy, we investigated the association among serum cytokine levels, treatment outcomes, as well as leukocyte and platelet counts.
RESULTS
The median age of patients was 64 years (range, 26 to 86 years). The male to female ratio was 104:36. High TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta levels were associated with shorter progression-free survival, and high VEGF-A and IL-1beta levels were associated with shorter overall survival in the univariate analysis. VEGF165b was not related to the treatment outcomes. Leukocytosis and thrombocytosis were associated with shorter overall survival. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF-A, IL-1beta, and leukocytosis were significant prognostic factors (p=0.0497, p=0.047, and p<0.001, respectively). Leukocytosis was not associated with recent pneumonia (p=0.937) and correlated with VEGF-A (p<0.001) and TGF-beta1 (p=0.020) levels.
CONCLUSION
Serum VEGF-A, TGF-1beta, and IL-1beta levels, in addition to leukocyte and platelet counts, are shown to be associated with clinical outcomes. Leukocyte and platelet counts are correlated with serum VEGF-A and TGF-beta1 levels.

Keyword

Vascular endothelial growth factor; Interleukin-1beta; Transforming growth factor beta1; Leukocytes; Blood platelets; Non-small cell lung carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Blood Platelets
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Cytokines
Disease-Free Survival
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Humans
Interleukin-1beta
Interleukins
Leukocytes
Leukocytosis
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Platelet Count
Pneumonia
Thrombocytosis
Transforming Growth Factor beta1*
Transforming Growth Factors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Cytokines
Interleukin-1beta
Interleukins
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Transforming Growth Factors
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Overall survival according to serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A (A) and interleukin (IL)-1β levels (B). Serum VEGF-A (A) and IL-1β (B) levels were a significant prognostic factors (p=0.0497 and p=0.047, respectively) after adjustment for smoking history, histology, and performance status.

• 

  Fig. 2 Correlation between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A (A) or transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (B) levels and leukocyte counts. Serum VEGF-A (r=0.422, p<0.001) and TGF-β1 levels (r=0.197, p=0.020) were significantly correlated with leukocyte counts.

• 

  Fig. 3 Overall survival according to leukocyte counts. Leukocyte count was an unfavorable prognostic factor (p<0.001).

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