The aim of this study was to define pre-treatment VEGF, VEGFR1 and
VEGFR2 levels in serum and bronchial washing samples of NSCLC patients
in order to examine their correlation to survival. Forty patients with
histologically confirmed NSCLC were enrolled. The results indicated that
circulating VEGF was correlated to T-classification, as were the ratios
of VEGF/VEGFR2 in serum and washing. Best chemotherapy response was
observed at lower serum and washing VEGF concentrations. Higher VEGF
levels in washing were associated with worse overall survival and
progression-free survival. Similar were the results at high values of
VEGF/VEGFR2 ratio in washing. Multivariate analysis revealed VEGFR2
levels in serum and washing as independent markers for overall survival.
In conclusion, washing VEGFR2 levels are correlated to overall survival,
whereas serum and washing VEGF levels are predictive of chemotherapy
response. These could help recognize NSCLC patients who benefit from an
aggressive therapeutic approach. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All
rights reserved
