Evaluation of peri-operative peripheral and renal venous levels of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and their relevance in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate peri-operative peripheral and renal venous plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, endostatin, and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in relation to pathological variables and prognosis, as pro- and anti-angiogenic factors are important for tumour growth and treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 74 consecutive patients with sporadic RCC who had tumour nephrectomy. Peripheral venous blood was drawn 1 day before, immediately and 1, 3 and 5 days after surgery. Renal venous blood was collected in a subgroup of 33 patients during surgery. The variables were analysed using quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay kits, and associated with pathological variables and disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

Soon after surgery, peripheral venous VEGF, PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1 levels were decreased, whereas endostatin levels were significantly increased. Renal venous VEGF, PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1 levels were higher than in the general venous blood pool. Renal venous VEGF levels were correlated with tumour diameter and associated with grade and vascular invasion. After a mean follow-up of 30 months, higher peripheral preoperative, early peripheral postoperative and renal venous VEGF levels were associated with a poorer prognosis. However, in a multivariate analysis only Tumour-Node-Metastasis stage and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status were independent prognosticators of disease-specific survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating pro- and anti-angiogenic factors change early after nephrectomy. VEGF, PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1 are higher in the renal vein than in the general venous blood pool. Higher renal venous and peripheral levels of VEGF might be associated with a poorer prognosis.