VEGF as a prognostic factor

The degree of tumor angiogenesis may be a significant predictor of tumor progression, recurrence, and metastatic spread in a variety of malignant tumors, including glioblastoma. Peles et al conducted a study in 26 patients with high- and low-grade cerebral glioma to quantify the levels of VEGF in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with gliomas, and to correlate these levels with tumor grade, vascularity, and overall survival.¹

Diagram illustrating the distribution of VEGF levels in the CSF of patients with high-grade glioma, low-grade glioma, and hydrocephalus.¹

Adapted with permission, Peles E, et al. Angiogenic factors in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with astrocytic brain tumors. Neurosurgery. 55(3);52-568.

The results of the study showed higher levels of VEGF in the CSF of patients with high-grade gliomas (defined as WHO Grade IV astrocytoma and Grade III astrocytoma) vs those with low-grade gliomas (WHO Grade II astrocytoma and pilocytic astrocytoma)—specifically, 17.6 ng/ml for high-grade gliomas vs 7.2 ng/ml for low-grade gliomas (P<0.005). This difference was not seen in the serum of these patients. The levels of VEGF in the CSF for high-grade and low-grade tumors were related to the vascular proliferation levels of the tumor and were statistically significant.¹

Additionally, patients in the high-level CSF group had a significantly shorter mean survival time (495 days) compared with patients in the low-level CSF group (908 days).¹

Reference:

1.

Peles E, Lidar Z, Simon A, et al. Neurosurgery. 2004;55(3):562-568.