Plasma concentrations of VEGF and bFGF in patients with gastric carcinoma

We examined plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in 54 patients with gastric carcinoma . Postoperative survival was significantly poorer in patients with plasma V EGF levels more than 10.0 pg/ml at the time of surgery. By an univariate an alysis of the factors affecting survival, serosal invasion, lymph node meta stasis, peritoneal dissemination, lymphatic vessel invasion, curability, an d VEGF proteins were significant. By a multivariate analysis only VEGF leve ls and curability remained significant. Patients with recurrent disease, in cluding liver metastasis, had significantly higher plasma VEGF concentratio ns than those with resectable primary tumors. VEGF, not bFGF, may serve as an independent prognosticator and a sensitive indicator for liver recurrenc e in patients with gastric carcinoma. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.