Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha-fetoprotein on hepatocellular carcinoma

Author(s):Show less -

Yvamoto, E. Y. ^{[1, 2]} ; Ferreira, R. F. ^[2] ; Nogueira, V. ^[2] ; Pinhel, M. A. S. ^[2] ; Tenani, G. D. ^[2] ; Andrade, J. G. S. C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Baitello, M. E. L. ^[2] ; Gregorio, M. L. ^{[3, 2]} ; Fucuta, P. S. ^{[1, 4]} ; Silva, R. F. ^{[1, 4]} ; Souza, D. R. S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva, R. C. M. A. ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Fac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Nucleo Pesquisa Bioquim & Biol Mol, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Franca, Franca, SP - Brazil

^[4] FUNFARME Fac Med Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Hosp Base, Unidade Hepatol, Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Genetics and Molecular Research; v. 14, n. 4, p. 17453-17462, 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

We evaluated the influence of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -C936T polymorphism on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Serum VEGF and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined and used to characterize sensitivity and specificity. A total of 285 subjects were studied: 68 HCC, 118 cirrhosis, 43 HCV, and 56 healthy controls. Prevalence of the VEGF -C936T polymorphism and serum levels of VEGF and AFP were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The genotype CC (frequencies between 63.24 and 76.79%; P > 0.05) and the C allele (absolute frequencies from 0.816 to 0.884, P > 0.05) were prevalent in all groups. Higher VEGF levels in HCC patients (588.0 +/- 501.0 pg/mL) were observed, particularly in patients with the T allele in VEGF -C936T (764.4 +/- 571.7 pg/mL) compared to those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The same trend occurred with AFP levels (HCC = 8.522 +/- 23.830; cirrhosis = 12.7 +/- 59.3; HCV = 4.6 +/- 4.7; control = 2.7 +/- 1.8 ng/mL; P = 0.005). Levels of VEGF and AFP showed sensitivity of 65 and 28% and specificity of 85 and 99%, respectively, for HCC patients. In conclusion, the VEGF -C936T polymorphism is not associated with HCC but the mutant allele (T) increases VEGF levels in HCC patients. VEGF could be a potential biomarker for HCC, while AFP could be used to distinguish between patients with HCC and cirrhosis or HCV. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/19826-3 - Genetic and biochemical markers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
• Grantee: Dorotéia Rossi Silva Souza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/11953-6 - Influence of genetic and biochemical variants for vascular endothelial growth factor and alpha-Fetoprotein in hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Grantee: Erika Yuki Yvamoto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation