Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor High in CLL

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ASCO Abstract #3031

Circulating basic fibroblast growth factor (B-FGF) and

vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in

cancer patients: implications for anti-angiogenic

therapy

S Go, L Horstman, Gundersen Lutheran

Medical Center, La Crosse, WI.

BACKGROUND:Over-expression of angiogenic factors, most

importantly VEGF and B-FGF, are implicated in the

growth and metastasis of cancers.

Several indirect angiogenic inhibitors are now

available. These agents inhibit the production

(interferon-alfa), neutralize (bevacizumab), or block

the receptor (SU5416) of angiogenic factors. Elevated

circulating angiogenic factors have been shown to

predict treatment response and prognosis in some

malignancies.

PURPOSE:To review the expression of circulating VEGF

and B-FGF in various cancers and describe its

potential implications when using indirect

anti-angiogenic therapy.

METHODS:We searched the MEDLINE database from

1996-2001 for studies reporting plasma or serum VEGF

and B-FGF levels in hematologic and solid

malignancies. VEGF or B-FGF level is defined as high

when the reported mean or median level is greater than

or equal to twice the level of that in the healthy

control group. It is considered indeterminate when

results are conflicting. Only malignancies in which

there are at least 2 reported studies are included.

RESULTS: A total of 35 studies were reviewed. VEGF

level is high in soft tissue sarcoma, colorectal,

non-small cell lung and ovarian carcinomas. It is low

in breast, prostate, renal, and small cell lung

carcinomas and indeterminate in melanoma and head/neck

carcinoma.

B-FGF level is high in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

(CLL), multiple myeloma and renal carcinoma. It is low

in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal and prostate

carcinomas, and indeterminate in small cell and

non-small cell lung carcinomas. VEGF and B-FGF are

highest in ovarian carcinoma and CLL, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The expression of VEGF and B-FGF varies in

patients with different types of cancers and within

patients with similar cancers. In cancers in which

either VEGF or B-FGF are grossly over-expressed,

indirect anti-angiogenic therapy maybe useful as a

group.

In cancers in which VEGF or B-FGF are low or

indeterminate, screening patients for over-expression

of these angiogenic factors maybe useful to identify

patients more likely to respond to therapy.

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