81001354

open access

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Elevation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Indonesian Advanced Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

English (英語)

The Kobe journal of the medical sciences

55(2)

36-44

Kobe University School of Medicine

2009-04

2009-08-11

Studies on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the most potentangiogenic factor in disease progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remainlimited, partly be due to the geographical distribution of the disease. However, it hasnever been reported from Indonesian population despite its common incidence.Therefore, we aimed to study the possible prognostic value of VEGF in Indonesianadvanced stage NPC.A clinical examination, CT scan, and the tumor tissue and plasma collection wereperformed before a combined therapy, and a local control rate was reassessed every 3months to determine progression-free survival (PFS). Plasma VEGF-A was measuredin 40 patients by ELISA, and VEGF and vWF expressions were examined in 30patients by immunohistochemistry. Survival curves were plotted based on plasmaVEGF-A level, VEGF, and microvessel density (MVD) count indicated by vWFexpressions vs PFS.The median follow up was 16 months. Patients with high VEGF-A level (&#8805;834pg/ml)presented shorter survival rate, as compared to those of low level (<834pg/ml) (41.2%vs 82.6%; p=0.009, log rank 6.81). Patients with overexpressed VEGF (&#8805;25%) showedshorter survival than those with low expression (<25%) (45.5% vs 79.6%; p=0.05, logrank 3.84). Patients with higher MVD count (&#8805;25%) also had shorter survival thanthose with lower MVD count (53.4% vs 80%; p=0.101, log rank=2.70).In conclusion, an elevated plasma VEGF level predicts shorter survival forIndonesian advanced stage NPC in this study. However, more samples may be requiredto draw a better conclusion on a possible role of VEGF as a prognostic factor in thedisease progression of NPC. This data is also substantial for the development ofanti-VEGF as a possible targeted therapy for NPC.

Prognosis

紀要論文