CIRCULATING PLATELET-DERIVED ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH-FACTOR INCREASESIN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA PATIENTS

BACKGROUND. Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is an angiogenic factor that is expressed in various cancer tissues. L ittle is known regarding plasma PD-ECGF levels in patients with chroni c liver disease such as chronic hepatitis (CII), cirrhosis, and hepato cellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis. The expression of PD-ECGF in HCC tissues also remains to be clarified. METHODS, Plasma PD-ECGF leve ls in patients with chronic liver disease were determined with an enzy me-linked immunoadsorbent assay system using the mouse monoclonal anti bodies specific to PD-ECGF. These were cross-sectionally compared amon g groups of normal persons, CH, cirrhosis, and HCC patients. The HCC p atients were classified Into two groups based on TNM stage: early and advanced stage disease groups. PD-ECGF expressions in HCC tissues were immunohistologically examined RESULTS, The plasma PD-ECGF levels from the normal individuals and those with CH, cirrhosis, and HCC specimen s were 4.2 +/- 0.5, 4.3 +/- 0.6, 4.6 +/- 1.1, and 6.0 +/- 2.5 U/mL, re spectively. The plasma PD-ECGF concentration was highest in HCC [P < 0 .05], No significant difference was found among the normal subjects, C H, and cirrhosis specimens. Plasma PD-ECGF concentrations were signifi cantly higher in the advanced stage disease HCC group compared with, t he early stage disease-group (6.75 +/- 2.62 U/mL vs. 4.19 +/- 0.34 U/m L) (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical expression of PD-ECGF in HCC cells increased significantly compared with normal liver cells (P < 0.05). C ONCLUSIONS, Circulating PD-ECGF plasma level might be a new tumor mark er for progression in patients with HCC. Immunohistological findings c orrespond to elevation of the plasma PD-ECGF in HCC patients. It is po ssible that increased production of PD-ECGF in HCC cells causes abunda nt neovascularization. (C) 1998 American Cancer Society.