Research results from University Hospital update understanding of angiogenesis
December 15th, 2008
2008 DEC 15 -- According to a study from Madrid, Spain, " The regulator of angiogenesis most extensively studied is VEGF. VEGF mRNA in plasma from patients with colorectal cancer was analyzed as a possible surrogate marker of tumor angiogenesis."
" VEGF mRNA was measured by quantitative PCR in plasma, tumors and circulating tumor cells from colorectal cancer patients. Circulating VEGF protein was analyzed by ELISA. Microvessel density was determined. Levels of VEGF mRNA and protein in plasma were higher in patients than in controls. VEGF mRNA was overexpressed in tumors with respect to normal tissues. Levels of VEGF protein were associated with VEGF mRNA in plasma, but no associations with tumor samples were found. A trend to statistical significance was shown between high VEGF mRNA and vascular invasion. MVD was not related to VEGF mRNA in plasma," wrote V. Garcia and colleagues, University Hospital.
The researchers concluded: "Conslusions Thus, VEGF mRNA could be a marker similar to VEGF protein in plasma."
Garcia and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (Levels of VEGF-A mRNA in plasma from patients with colorectal carcinoma as possible surrogate marker of angiogenesis. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 2008;134(11):1165-1171).
For more information, contact F. Bonilla, Puerta Hierro University Hospital, Dept. of Med Oncology, C San Martin Porres 4, Madrid 28035, Spain.
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.
