BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR (B-FGF) IN SERUM AND URINE OF PATIENTSWITH PRIMARY HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

Background: The angiogenic peptide basic fibroblast growth factor (b-F GF) has been suggested to significantly promote angiogenesis; a centra l event for the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Elevated levels of b-FGF in the serum and urine of patients with Various types of can cer have been reported. No information exists about b-FGF levels in pa tients with primary head and neck cancer. The present study was perfor med to determine serum and urine levels of b-FGF in these patients. Me thods: b-FGF was quantified in the urine of 50 (62.5%) patients with h ead and neck cancer as well as 30 (37.5%) patients with diseases unrel ated to cancer using an immunoassay with a detection limit of 1.0 pg/m l (FGF basic ''Quantikine'', DFB00, Biermann GmbH, Bad Nauheim, German y). Urine was collected from patients before breakfast and centrifuged for 10 min at 1000 g. The supernatants were stored at - 80 degrees C until the assay was performed. Results: In the serum and urine of all patients, b-FGF was detectable by immunoassay. Cancer patients reveale d significant increased serum b-FGF concentrations. In addition, advan ced tumor size (T-3/4) showed significant increased b-FGF levels in bo th serum and urine. There seems to be a correlation between serum b-FG F concentrations with degree of histologic differentiation. Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrate that b-FGF levels are elevated in serum and urine of patients with primary head and neck cancer. The se findings suggest an involvement of b-FGF in the formation of solid tumors. The value of b-FGF as a non-invasive monitoring of treatment r esponse in cancer therapy, the correlation with angiogenesis in histol ogic sections as well immunhistochemical detection are the aim of furt her investigations.