ABSTRACT
BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Growth of tumors and their metastases is dependent on factors that stimulate vessel formation (angiogenesis). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is closely related to angiogenesis in various human cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the value of serum VEGF levels in hepatocellular carcinomas as a tumor marker. METHODS: We measured serum VEGF levels, by enzyme immunoassay, and platelet counts in healthy controls (n=22), liver cirrhosis (LC; n=4) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC; n=14). RESULTS: The mean serum VEGF levels in controls and the patients with LC and HCC were 251.8+/-121.5 (mean+/-SD), 163.4+/-82.1 and 557.8+/-520.3pg/ml, respectively. The levels were significantly elevated in the HCC group, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Serum VEGF levels in the HCC group were highly correlated with platelet counts (r=0.915, p<0.05). Conclusions : We consider that serum VEGF is a possible tumor marker for HCC. Serum VEGF may be partly derived from platelets.