Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Levels in Advanced Stage Cancer Patients Compared to Normal Controls and Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Critical Ischemia

Yoka H. Kusumanto; Coby Meijer; Wendy Dam; Nanno H. Mulder; Geke A.P. Hospers

doi:10.33393/dti.2007.2025

Authors

Yoka H. Kusumanto Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Coby Meijer Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Wendy Dam Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Nanno H. Mulder Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Geke A.P. Hospers Dept. of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33393/dti.2007.2025

Keywords:

VEGF level, cancer, diabetes mellitus, Critical Limb Ischemia

Abstract

Anti-angiogenic therapy is emerging as a valuable tool in the treatment of patients with cancer. As VEGF is a central target in anti-angiogenic therapy, its levels in the circulation might be relevant in selecting tumor types or patients likely to respond to this treatment. Additional VEGF has been recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Recently anti-angiogenic therapy has been advocated in this situation. We measured VEGF levels in whole blood in 42 patients with high grade (n = 26) and low grade (n = 16) end stage cancer, and in 28 healthy controls and 37 patients with diabetes related vascular disease. Only 2/26 patients in the group of high grade cancer had signifi cantly elevated VEGF levels, 1/16 in the low grade group and 1/28 in the healthy control group. In contrast, in 10/37 diabetic patients the mean VEGF levels were signifi cantly elevated compared to the other groups. The mean level in these diabetic patients was signifi cantly elevated compared to the other groups. These data indicate the limitation of the use of circulating VEGF levels as a potential selection criterion for anti-angiogenic therapy in cancer patients and suggest further studies into its application in the management of diabetic complications.