Serum vascular endothelial growth factor‑C levels predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer

Abstract

Lymph node metastasis is the primary site of metastasis for patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC). Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been implicated in the control of lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in various malignant tumors. However, the function of circulating VEGF-C is unclear and it is often difficult to evaluate lymph node metastasis and provide a prognosis for GBC. In the present study, ELISA was used to measure the preoperative serum VEGF-C (sVEGF-C) levels of 51 patients with GBC, 15 patients with chronic cholecystitis and 10 healthy volunteers. The results revealed a significantly increased sVEGF-C level in patients with GBC compared with the healthy donors, however no statistically significant difference was identified between patients with GBC and chronic cholecystitis. sVEGF-C levels were associated with lymph node metastasis in GBC and presented a positive correlation with VEGF-C expression and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in patients with GBC. The mean survival time with high sVEGF-C was significantly reduced compared with low sVEGF-C. A similar result was also observed for VEGF-C expression and LVD. In summary, sVEGF-C levels may predict lymph node metastasis and the prognosis of patients with GBC.

Current and New Biomarkers for Early Detection, Prognostic Stratification, and Management of Gallbladder Cancer Patients

“…[108] serum VEGF-C ELISA High levels correlated with a shorter mean survival (n = 31 and 51 in each study). [109,110] serum IL-6 ECLIA Low levels correlated with a better 5-year overall survival rate in a subgroup of patients with hepatic side tumors (n = 69). [111] preoperative NLR Hemogram…”

Overview of current targeted therapy in gallbladder cancer

“…In addition, the elevated serum VEGF-C was positively correlated with decreased OS and increased lymph node metastasis. 95,96 In a large cohort study with 195 GBC patients and 300 healthy serum samples, polymorphisms of Fig. 1 Overview of GBC targeted sites and agents.…”

“…In addition, the elevated serum VEGF-C was positively correlated with decreased OS and increased lymph node metastasis. 95 , 96 In a large cohort study with 195 GBC patients and 300 healthy serum samples, polymorphisms of c.*237C > T and g.43737830A > G of VEGF gene were associated with the disease development, indicating that VEGF polymorphisms may offer a valuable marker to predict the susceptibility of carcinogenesis. 97 In line with clinic trials, blocking VEGF-C by short interfering RNA or a neutralizing antibody in cultured GBC cells inhibited tumor cell proliferation and invasion.…”

An origami paper-based nanoformulated immunosensor detects picograms of VEGF-C per milliliter of blood

“…However, overexpression of VEGF-C is observed in various malignant tumors 6 , 7 . Thus, determining VEGF-C levels could be useful for predicting advanced disease and individuals at risk for cancer 8 , 9 .…”