Significance of Preoperative Serum VEGF and bFGF Levels in Colorectal Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Angiogenesis related to tumor invasion and metastasis may be accelerated by numerous factors that are released from tumor cells, tumor-associated inflammatory cells, or the extracellular matrix. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are angiogenesis promoters, and are suspected to be key molecules in cancer progression. In colorectal cancer, tumor VEGF has been shown to be well correlated with relapse- free survival. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum VEGF and bFGF levels with the various indices of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Preoperative serum VEGF and bFGF levels were measured prospectively in 76 colorectal cancer patients, and compared with equivalent levels in healthy controls. Patients with a history of radiation therapy or chemotherapy within 6 months were excluded. RESULTS: The cut-off values of VEGF and bFGF were 244 pg/ml and 3.9 pg/ml, respectively. Patients with colorectal cancer showed a significantly higher level of serum VEGF and bFGF. In comparison with the control group, the serum VEGF level was significantly elevated in the advanced T stage group, the high UICC stage patients, and the hematogenous metastasis cases. Serum bFGF was also elevated in the advanced UICC TNM stage patients. The serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were well correlated with each other (P<0.0002). CONCLUSION: In colorectal cancer cases, serum bFGF and VEGF levels may be correlated with stage, except in early cancer stages. Therefore serum VEGF and bFGF levels may be used as predictive factors in advanced colorectal cancer.