Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg.  2003 Jun;7(1):26-31.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Joo HM
• Hong SW
• Whang DH
• Heo TG
• Chang YG
• Paik IW
• Lee H

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor and VEGF may play a important role in its carcinogensis and progression. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) which is one of the therapeutic modalities of HCC induces hypoxia to the tumor. VEGF is known to be up-regulated by hypoxia. In this study, we examined the level of VEGF in the course of TACE.
METHODS
Twenty-two HCC patients were enrolled in this study. Serum VEGF level was investigated before and 1, 5 and 10 days after TACE. The correlation of clinical factors of patients and the level of serum VEGF before TACE was evaluated. Platelet count was also measured with VEGF.
RESULTS
Mean serum VEGF level increased significantly 1 and 5 days after TACE. Platelet count decreased significantly 1 day after TACE. Serum VEGF level was positively correlated with platelet count before and 1 day after TACE.
CONCLUSION
TACE may increase the serum level of VEGF induced by hypoxia.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

MeSH Terms

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Anoxia
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Humans
Platelet Count
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A