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Summary: VEGF in gastric cancer

VEGF is a potent proangiogenic factor released by many solid tumors, and the large majority of gastric carcinomas have elevated levels of VEGF.^1-3 As a clinical marker, sVEGF levels have been found to be significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than in controls (P<0.0001). sVEGF levels are significantly correlated with disease stage, (P=0.01) and with distant metastases (P=0.004).⁴

High VEGF expression is characteristic of gastric carcinomas,⁵ where VEGF and other growth factors form an autocrine loop.⁶ A significant relationship exists between VEGF expression and MVD in gastric cancers (P=0.008), where MVD was found to be elevated by 46% in VEGF-positive tumors.⁷ High MVD has been associated with an increased risk of metastases. Tumors positive for VEGF are associated with increased risk of hepatic metastases.^8,9

Prognostically, VEGF expression is associated with shorter overall survival time, as well as diminished disease-free survival.³ Positive correlations exist between MVD and VEGF expression.³ MVD has been found to be an independent risk factor for survival in gastric carcinoma, where significant differences in overall survival have been found between patients with low and high MVD (P<0.001).⁷

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