Increased pre-therapeutic serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with early clinical relapse of osteosarcoma

2002

Serum VEGF Levels and Early Relapse in Osteosarcoma

Sample size: 16 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kaya M, Wada T, Kawaguchi S, Nagoya S, Yamashita T, Abe Y, Hiraga H, Isu K, Shindoh M, Higashino F, Okada F, Tada M, Yamawaki S, Ishii S

Primary Institution: National Sapporo Hospital and Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Does the pre-therapeutic serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) correlate with early relapse in osteosarcoma patients?

Conclusion

Higher pre-therapeutic serum VEGF levels are associated with early disease relapse in osteosarcoma patients.

Supporting Evidence

Serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients who relapsed compared to those who did not.
The study found a positive correlation between serum VEGF levels and microvessel density in tumor biopsies.
Patients with a VEGF-positive tumor had higher serum VEGF levels than those with a VEGF-negative tumor.

Takeaway

Doctors found that measuring a substance called VEGF in the blood can help predict if kids with a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma will get sick again after treatment.

Methodology

The study measured serum levels of VEGF, bFGF, and PlGF in 16 osteosarcoma patients before treatment and analyzed correlations with disease relapse and microvessel density.