Background: New biological markers with predictive or prognostic value are highly warranted in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) system and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) system are important components in tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Materials and methods: Pre-surgery peripheral blood samples were collected consecutively from 213 patients (42 with normal ovaries, 54 with benign, 21 with borderline, and 96 with malignant ovarian tumors) undergoing surgery for an untreated pelvic mass. Serum PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and FGF2 were quantified on a Luminex analyzer.
Results: Median PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and FGF2 levels were higher in patients with ovarian cancer than in those with borderline tumors, and normal ovaries, and PDGF-BB and FGF2 were also higher as compared to patients with benign tumors. PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB were associated with FIGO stage and residual tumor and PDGF-BB was associated with histological subtype.
Conclusion: PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, and FGF2 are up-regulated in ovarian cancer and levels of serum PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB seem to be associated with stage and residual tumor in ovarian cancer.