Serum sFas, Leptin, and VEGF in Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Benign Tumors

Abstract

The initial levels of soluble Fas antigen (sFas), leptin, and vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) were measured in the sera of 100 patients with ovarian cancer and benign tumors and in 60 healthy women aged 28-65 years. Serum levels of sFas and VEGF were elevated in the total group of patients with ovarian tumors, while leptin levels were the same as in healthy women. The studied parameters did not depend on the age of patients and healthy women. The levels of sFas and leptin were virtually the same in benign and malignant ovarian tumors, while VEGF concentration was higher in patients with ovarian cancer. The mean serum levels of sFas, VEGF, and leptin in patients with poorly and moderately differentiated serous ovarian cancer were 2-fold higher than in well-differentiated tumors (p<0.05), while serum concentrations of sFas and leptin increased with the disease stage progress in patients with ovarian cancer (p<0.05). According to the data of unifactorial analysis, the increase in serum levels of sFas and VEGF in ovarian cancer patients correlated with short duration of the relapse-free period. Multifactorial analysis showed that the disease stage (p=0.006), presence of ascites (p=0.03), VEGF concentration (p=0.02), and the sFas/leptin coeffi cient (p=0.045) are highly signifi cant independent factors for predicting the relapse-free survival of patients with serous ovarian cancer.Ovarian cancer ranks fi rst in the structure of mortality from malignant tumors of the female reproductive sys tem [2]. Analysis of the Russian and foreign publications showed unsatisfactory results of treatment of patients with ovarian cancer, because by the moment of diagnosis about 70% patients have advanced stages of the tumor process [3]. In addition, ovarian cancer unites the histogenetic variants of tumors, the majo rity of which are characterized by aggressive clinical course and are liable to early metastasizing. The aggressive nature of the tumor manifests by its capacity to invasion and metastasis development. This can be due to histogenesis, differentiation degree, and genome damage, all this leading to activation of the factors closely related to "biological" behavior of the tumor.Studies of biological factors essential for tumor growth and metastasizing will lead to better understanding of some stages in the pathogenesis of ovarian tumors. Inhibition of Fas-dependent apoptosis is an important component in the system of transformed cell defense from antitumor immunity. The Fas receptor triggers apoptosis in the target cell after interactions with its ligand (FasL). Soluble Fas (sFas) distantly

Immune Response in Ovarian Cancer: How Is the Immune SystemInvolved in Prognosis and Therapy: Potential for Treatment Utilization

“…These results have been confirmed by a more recent analysis of a larger series and longer followup (Figures 3(a) and 3(b) show the updated results). Finally, in recent studies serum Fas protein (sFas) levels and serum VEGF levels have been found to be increased in ovarian cancer patients correlated with a short duration of the relapse-free period [137]. …”

Molecular insights into the transcriptional regulatory role of thyroid hormones in ovarian cancer

“…This shorter product is soluble and inhibits FAS‐mediated cell death, presumably by binding competition for the FAS ligand . High levels of serum soluble FAS have been reported in cancer patients, including ovarian cancer . However, in vitro, in the conditioned medium of primary ovarian cancer cells, the levels of soluble FAS were minimal and not significantly different from those of normal ovarian cells .…”

“…62 High levels of serum soluble FAS have been reported in cancer patients, including ovarian cancer. [63][64][65] However, in vitro, in the conditioned medium of primary ovarian cancer cells, the levels of soluble FAS were minimal and not significantly different from those of normal ovarian cells. 57 Similarly, we have demonstrated that soluble FAS protein was undetectable in OVCAR-3 cells.…”

Circulating VEGF as a biomarker for diagnosis of ovarian cancer: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

“… 7 Accumulating evidence also has demonstrated that the circulating levels of VEGF are elevated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer, 8 lung cancer, 9 gastric cancer, 10 endometrial cancer, 11 breast cancer, 12 OC. 13 Thus, VEGF is a focus of interest with respect to vascular research and oncology.…”