Intraperitoneal vascular endothelial growth factor burden in peritoneal surface malignancies treated with curative intent: the first step before intraperitoneal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment?

INTRODUCTION

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors in solid tumours and plays an important role in ascites development in peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM). The main goal of this study was to determine the evolution and factors influencing intraperitoneal (IP) VEGF burden during cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with curative intent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-seven consecutive patients with PSM were treated with CRS at a single centre with curative intent. Patient data were collected prospectively between February 2012 and October 2012. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to assess VEGF levels in intravenous (IV) systemic blood samples before incision and after abdominal closure, and in IP samples during abdominal cavity exploration, after completion of CRS, after hyperthermic IP chemotherapy, and at 1 and 24h after abdominal closure.

RESULTS

The IP VEGF burden increased significantly after CRS, and then decreased progressively (p<0.005). In multivariate analysis, neoadjuvant IV bevacizumab significantly decreased the preoperative IP VEGF burden, tumour load according to Peritoneal Cancer Index value increased significantly the preoperative IP VEGF burden and a low preoperative IP VEGF burden was associated with significantly increased postoperative complications. Neoadjuvant IV bevacizumab is the only factor that influences the preoperative IV VEGF concentration.

CONCLUSION

For patients with PSM who were treated with curative intent, the IP VEGF burden increased after CRS, and was reduced prior to surgery by the administration of neoadjuvant IV bevacizumab.