Title: Prognostic value of blood levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
Abstract: 7196 Background: VEGF and bFGF are among the most important angiogenic factors. We have explored these angiogenesis mediators in plasma and its prognostic significance in advanced NSCLC. Methods: Were enrolled 451 patients with advanced NSCLC, stages IIIB and IV and treated with cisplatin and docetaxel. Blood was collected before chemotherapy. Plasma VEGF and bFGF levels were assessed by commercial ELISA (sensitivity 5 pg/ml). In parallel plasma from 32 age and gender-matched controls was used. Results: Median age was 61 years (35–82) and 84% were males. 99% had performance status 0–1. 84% were in stage IV and 16% in stage IIIB. The histological subtypes were: 32% squamous cell carcinoma, 50% adenocarcinoma, 14% anaplastic large cell, and 4% undifferentiated. 41% of the patients received second line chemotherapy. 1% achieved complete response (CR), 36% partial response (PR), 35% had stable disease (SD) and 28% progressive disease (PD). Patient’s median plasma levels of VEGF (20 pg/ml, [6–203]) differ significantly (p = 0.04) from controls (14 pg/ml, [7–53]), but in contrast bFGF levels were not different, 14 pg/ml [5–960] vs 10 pg/ml [6–278] respectively. There were not differences in patients according to histology, site of metastasis and ECOG; however we could observe a tendency with stage for both factors: bFGF 9 pg/ml [5–24] in stage IIIB vs 15 pg/ml [6–960], p = 0.071 and VEGF 17 pg/ml [6–145] in IIIB vs 21 pg/ml [6–203] in IV, p = 0.086. It could not be observed any differences in response to therapy for both angiogenic factors; CR+PR patients presented median VEGF of 18 pg/ml [6–71] and bFGF 11 pg/ml [6–960] vs 20 pg/ml of VEGF [6–203] and 15 pg/ml of bFGF [5–395] in the SD+PD group. In the multivariate analysis we could not find that VEGF and bFGF plasma levels were predictors for time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). Conclusions: VEGF but not bFGF levels in patients are significantly higher in patients than in controls. In our cohort of patients with advanced NSCLC we have not found any relationship between serum VEGF and bFGF levels with stage, histology, response, site of metastasis, TTP and OS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-06-20
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot