Changes and prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the changes and the prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

A total of 79 patients with DTC and 30 healthy individuals were divided into four groups: (1) a healthy control group (n = 30); (2) DTC without recurrence (n = 35; 23 papillary, 12 follicular); (3) DTC with local recurrence (n = 24; 15 papillary, 9 follicular), and (4) DTC with lung metastasis (n = 20; 13 papillary, 7 follicular). Serum VEGF and thyroglobulin levels were measured in all patients.

RESULTS:

Serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in the lung metastasis group than in the other three groups (p < 0.05). Serum thyroglobulin concentration positively correlated with VEGF expression (r = 0.8678, p < 0.001) in patients with thyroid cancer recurrence. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical staging (OR = 1.851, 95% CI 1.04-3.47; p = 0.038), noncompliance with postoperative thyroxin replacement therapy (OR = 1.935, 95% CI 1.03-3.65; p = 0.042) and postoperative levels of thyroglobulin (OR = 1.892, 95% CI 1.01-3.56, p = 0.032) were independent predictors for thyroid cancer recurrence. Every additional 100 ng/l of serum VEGF levels increased the risk of thyroid cancer recurrence by 20.3%; but this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.203, 95% CI 0.95-1.52; p = 0.125).

CONCLUSIONS:

Serum VEGF increased in patients with recurrent thyroid cancer following surgical therapies. The predictive value of serum VEGF requires further investigation.

• Authors: Zhen-Hu Zhou, Xiao-Ning Cui, Huai-Guang Xing, Rui-Hong Yan, Dao-Kuo Yao, Le-Xin Wang
• Journal: Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre (Med Princ Pract) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 24-8 ( 2013) ISSN: 1423-0151 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 22890443 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• Thyroglobulin
• Thyroxine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (secondary)
• Male
• Medication Adherence
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (blood)
• Prognosis
• Risk Factors
• Sex Factors
• Thyroglobulin (blood)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (blood, pathology)
• Thyroxine (therapeutic use)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (blood)
• Young Adult