Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Serum Levels Are Associated With Survival in Early Stages of Lung Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT

Aim: Evaluate the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Methods: Fifty-four serum samples were analyzed for VEGF concentrations (79.3% nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 20.7% small cell lung cancer). Results: Patients with serum VEGF-A levels higher than the mean of the patients studied (434.93 pg/mL) presented a shorter median survival time than those with lower levels (p =.04), as in patients with NSCLC tumors (p =.04) and in those with stages I-II (p <.05), and high serum VEGF-A levels. Conclusion: Elevated VEGF serum levels have a negative prognostic impact on survival in NSCLC and early stages of lung cancer patients.

Keywords: :

• Lung neoplasms
• Angiogenesis-inducing agents
• Vascular endothelial growth factor
• Serum
• Prognosis
• Survival analysis