Objective: To investigate the relationship between VEGF, bFGF and IGF-1 serum concentration and progression of pancreatic carcinoma.
Methods: Fifty-six patients with pancreatic carcinoma were divided into resectable group (n = 32) and unresectable group (n = 24). Another group was normal group (n = 20). The expression and significance of these proangiogenic factors were respectively analyzed in different groups.
Results: For pancreatic carcinoma group, concentrations of VEGF and bFGF were significantly higher than these of normal group (P < 0.01). Serum VEGF was significantly correlated with the resection of pancreatic carcinoma (P < 0.05) while bFGF and IGF were not. According to univariate analysis, serum VEGF was correlated with tumor grade, nodal disease, vascular invasion, distant metastases and tumor stage. Serum bFGF was associated with tumor size and grade. Serum IGF-1 was correlated with vascular invasion.
Conclusions: Angiogenic factors play important roles in growth, invasion and metastasis. Detection of serum proangiogenic factors may have potential value in diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma.