VEGF and Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer¹

VEGF level and overall survival¹

Significant survival difference between patients (N=70) with strong/moderate expression (grades 2 and 3) and nonexpression/weak expression (grades 0 and 1) of VEGF (P<0.05). Patients with a follow up of at least 2 years were considered in the analysis.

Reprinted with permission from Niedergethmann M, Hildenbrand R, Wostbrock B, et al. Pancreas. 2002;25:122-129. Figure 5.

Among the studies that have revealed a correlation between high VEGF levels and a poor prognosis, Niedergethmann et al studied 70 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after curative resection with a follow-up of 2 years.¹

In this study, survival analyses were conducted to compare high vs low levels of VEGF, as well as high vs low levels of MVD. MVD was measured histochemically and VEGF expression was studied using polyclonal antibodies. Correlations among VEGF expression, MVD clinical pathology, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.¹

Kaplan-Meier survival curves illustrate significant differences between pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with strong VEGF expression and those with weak VEGF expression (P<0.05.) Significant differences in survival also appear in the analysis of high vs low MVD (P<0.05).¹

As a potent angiogenic mitogen for vascular capillary endothelial cells, high levels of VEGF were significantly associated with disease recurrence within 8 months after surgery (P=0.003).¹

MVD level and survival¹

Significant survival difference between patients (N=70) with high (≥85 vessels/x200 field) and low (<85 vessels/x200 field) MVD (P<0.05).

Reprinted with permission from Niedergethmann M, Hildenbrand R, Wostbrock B, et al. Pancreas. 2002;25:122-129. Figure 6.

Reference:

1.

Niedergethmann M, Hildenbrand R, Wostbrock B, et al. Pancreas. 2002;25:122-129. PMID: 12142733