TITLE:
Association between Pretreatment Levels of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Survival Outcomes in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients
AUTHORS:
Kanyarat Katanyoo, Kanisa Rongsriyam, Marisa Chongtanakon
KEYWORDS:
Serum VEGF; Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer; Overall Survival
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.4 No.10,
December
24,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the association between
pretreatment levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and
long-term treatment outcomes in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer
(LACC). Methods: Thirty-nine
patients diagnosed with LACC (stage IIB-IVA) and obtaining blood for serum VEGF were identified. All patients received complete
treatment as radical radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.
Surveillance for all patients was every 3 months during the first 2 years, and
every 6 months later. Results: Mean age of 39 patients was 52.3 ± 10.8
years old. Twenty-three
patients (59.0%) had stage IIB, and 16 patients (41.0%) had stage IIIB. Histological
cell type was mostly squamous cell carcinoma (89.7%). The median and 75th percentile level of serum VEGF were 610.2 pg/ml (0.0 - 4067.2 pg/ml) and 825.6
pg/ml, respectively. At median follow-up of 37.0 months (range, 26.8 - 46.3 months), the 3-year OS rate was
78.6%. Clinical stage (p = 0.04) and 75th percentile of VEGF level (p = 0.04) were impacted
on OS in univariable analysis. The 3-year OS of patients in stage IIB with serum VEGF
of ≤825.6 pg/ml and
of > 825.6 pg/ml was slightly different, 94.4% and 80.0% respectively (p = 0.34), whereas there were many differences in stage
IIIB, 71.4% and 25.0% in patients with serum VEGF of ≤825.6 pg/ml
and of >825.6 pg/ml respectively (p = 0.05). Conclusion: High
pretreatment serum VEGF level has an influence on OS for LACC. It is
potentially used as a predictive factor, especially in patients stage IIIB, in order to provide efficient treatment and
improve survival outcomes in the future.