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Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology 34:184-190 (2004)
© 2004 Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor per Platelet Count in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Correlations with Clinical Parameters and Survival

Seok Jin Kim, In Keun Choi, Kyong Hwa Park, So Young Yoon, Sang Cheul Oh, Jae Hong Seo, Chul Won Choi, Byung Soo Kim, Sang Won Shin, Yeul Hong Kim and Jun Suk Kim+

Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

Background: Platelets have been reported to act as transporters of tumor-originated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), contributing to tumor angiogenesis and progression. Serum VEGF per platelet count, as an indirect theoretical estimate of VEGF in platelets, may predict the malignant potential of tumors. However, its prognostic significance is still unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a highly vascular tumor.

Methods: Serum VEGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We compared serum VEGF, platelet count and serum VEGF per platelet count in 52 HCC patients, 26 liver cirrhosis patients and 30 healthy controls. The relation of serum VEGF per platelet count with clinicopathologic variables of HCC patients and the prognostic significance were investigated.

Results: Serum VEGF per platelet count in HCC patients was higher than in liver cirrhosis patients and healthy controls (P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation between serum VEGF and platelet count in HCC patients (r = 0.751, P < 0.01). Serum VEGF per platelet count was higher in patients with advanced stage and portal vein thrombosis (P < 0.01). Patients with high serum VEGF per platelet count (>1.4 pg/106) showed poor response to treatment and shorter overall survival (P < 0.01). Serum VEGF per platelet count was an independent prognostic factor with the presence of portal vein thrombosis (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Serum VEGF per platelet count could be a feasible prognostic indicator during the follow-up of patients with HCC.

+ For reprints and all correspondence: Byung Soo Kim, Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Anam Hospital, Korea University Medical Center, 126-1, Anam-dong 5-ga, Sungbuk-ku, Seoul 136-705, Korea. E-mail: kbs0309{at}ns.kumc.or.kr


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