Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Internal Medicine

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a secreted homodimeric cytokine and a primary driving force for both physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and its overexpression has been found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, the invasiveness of certain HCC lesions has recently been linked to high levels of VEGF. So, in our study we investigated the relation between serum VEGF levels and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma as well as assessment of prognosis in HCC patients. Methods Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples drawn at the day of inclusion in the study were assessed for VEGF content by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VEGF levels were correlated with the presence as well as severity of hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnostic value of VEGF was investigated by uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses.results 90 patients were enrolled. Subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed elevated serum levels of VEGF as compared to healthy subjects (1930.9+1060 pg/ml vs. 283+162.5 pg/ml, P=0.000). Patients with intra abdominal lymphnodes (P{u200A}={u200A}0.011) and more than one focal lesion (P{u200A}={u200A}0.044) had higher VEGF levels than patients without these findings. Low VEGF levels were a parameter independently associated with longer overall survival (sensitivity (83.3%) and specificity (81.7%) in prediction of HCC, with cut off value (872.5)

Issued also as CD