Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, Flt-1, in haematological cancers: A comparison with breast cancer

Raised plasma VEGF is found in some cancers but levels of its receptor solu ble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) are unreported. Hypothesising increased levels to be pre sent in haematological cancers, we measured both by ELISA in 22 patients wi th haematological cancer, 22 with breast cancer, and in age- and sex-matche d controls, VEGF was raised in both patients groups compared to controls (P < 0.01) but was higher in haematological cancer compared to breast cancer (P = 0.0238), There was no difference in levels of sFlt-1. Our data point t o changes in levels of plasma VEGF, but not sFlt-1, in haematological cance r that may have pathophysiological consequences. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.