gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: VEGF is the most potent factors in angiogenesis and is involved in tumorgenesis of various solid tumors. There is no valid data for ovarian cancer.

Methods: From October 2002 till October 2004 in the study were prospectivly enrolled 54 patients with ovarian cancer (28 primary; 28 recurrence) (OC) and 25 woman with no history of cancer (control group) (CG). VEGF and VEGF D were analysed in serum and ascites with the Enzym Limked Immunosorbet Assay (ELISA). VEGF C were analysed in the tissue with the Light Cycler PCR. SPSS 11.5 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results: There was a significant difference in VEGF concentration between patients with OC (2635,35 pg/ml) and the control group (208.75 pg/ml) (p< 0,005). The significant differences was also observed in expression of VEGF in patients with primary ovarian carcinoma an the CG (p= 0,003). There was a significant correlation between the concentration of VEGF in ascites and serum in connection with a peritoneal carcinomatosis (p= 0,036/0,029). The ascites expression of VEGF- D in patients with recurrence OC significant correlatet with spleen and diaphragm metastasis (p= 0,024/0,05). The hight concentration of VEGF- C were find in OC group ( p< 0,05) and in patients with ovarian cancer and with ascites (p=0,016).

Conclusions: VEGF is over expressed in ovarian cancer group, especially in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The members of VEGF family seems to be possible targets for anti-angiogenic therapy of ovarian cancer.