Clinical implications of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in metastatic lesions of ovarian cancers

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as an importa nt factor for tumour angiogenesis, which is essential for the growth, invas ion and metastasis of solid tumours. Significantly increased VEGF level fro m the primary tumour to the metastatic lesion of ovarian cancers was found in 8 of 30 cases. The 24-month survival rate of the patients with significa ntly increased VEGF level was extremely poor (0/8 = 0%) in comparison with that of patients with no change in the level (15/22 = 68%) from the primary tumour to the metastatic lesion. This indicates that VEGF may contribute t o the advancement of metastatic lesions, and that VEGF level in metastatic lesions may be a prognostic indicator. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign.