Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) as a Prognostic Factor and a Tumor Growth Marker in Cases with Primary Lung Cancer

In this study, we measured serum VEGF in patients with lung cancer to assess the significance of VEGF as a tumor growth marker. 92 patients with primary lung cancer, 50 patients with benign pulmonary disease, and 30 healthy adults were studied. The serum VEGF was measured using an ELISA kit. Simultaneously, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), and gasrtrin-releasing peptide precursor (proGRP) were measured. Serum VEGF levels were 544.8 ± 72.2 pg/ml in patients with lung cancer, 140.8 ± 32.4pg/ml in healthy adults, and 178.0 ± 42.3 pg/ml in patients with benign pulmonary diesease. In patients with lung cancer, the values were significantly higher than that in healthy adults (p<0.03), and patients with benign pulmonary disease. Serum VEGF levels were evaluated with respect to histological types and stages. There were no significant differences. Prognostic factor was determined by multivariate analysis using proportional hazard model. Results of multivariated analysis proved that Serum VEGF was significant prognostic factor and might be a tumor growth marker in patients with primary lung cancer.