Tumor hypoxia and systemic levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in head and neck cancers.
Strahlenther Onkol
; 177(9): 469-73, 2001 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11591020
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hypoxia is the most important stimulus for the up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the key cytokines for angiogenesis. We have investigated the possible relationship between tumor hypoxia and systemic levels of VEGF. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
56 patients with head and neck cancers underwent measurement of tumor volume (pretreatment CT scans), tumor oxygenation (pO2 histography) and serum levels of VEGF. The hemoglobin level ranged from 9.1 to 16 g/dl. The absolute amount of hypoxic tumor (hypoxic tumor volume) was determined as the product of the absolute tumor volume and the relative frequency of hypoxic (< 5 mm Hg) measurements in the pO2 histography.RESULTS:
The serum VEGF levels in the 56 head and neck cancer patients ranged from 102 to 1699 pg/ml (median 405 pg/ml, mean 527 +/- 396 pg/ml). Elevated serum-VEGF levels (> 700 pg/ml) were found in 14/56 patients (25%). Serum-levels of VEGF were significantly and independently correlated with hypoxic tumor volume (R2 = 0.63, p < 0.001), but also with total tumor volume, hemoglobin levels, platelet counts and tumor hypoxia. There was no correlation with T and N category, histological grading, and age.CONCLUSIONS:
The strong and independent impact of the hypoxic tumor volume on systemic VEGF levels suggests that the absolute amount of hypoxia within a tumor represents the most important stimulus for up-regulation of angiogenesis. Anemia acts as a co-factor via worsening of tumor tissue oxygenation.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Oxígeno
/
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas
/
Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial
/
Linfocinas
/
Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Strahlenther Onkol
Asunto de la revista:
NEOPLASIAS
/
RADIOTERAPIA
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article