[Evaluation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in neoplastic and tuberculosis effusions--preliminary...

Angiogenesis is an essential process for tumor progression and VEGF is thought to be a critical factor for this process. VEGF is also known as a strong capillary permeability inducer, what can be important for pleural effusion development. The aim of the study was the comparative analysis of VEGF concentration in pleural effusions collected from 31 patients with various type of cancer, 8 patients with tuberculosis, 5 patients with transudates. Additionally VEGF concentrations in 11 serum specimens from patients with neoplastic disease was evaluated. VEGF concentrations was determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. The VEGF level in pleural transudates as well as tuberculous effusions was significantly lower than in malignant fluid. The were no differences in VEGF level in malignant pleural fluid of different origin. The correlation between VEGF concentrations in malignant pleural fluid and sera of individual patients was not found. Our results indicate that VEGF might play an important role in accumulation of pleural fluid especially that of malignant origin. VEGF level in pleural fluid differs significantly from cancer to benign group of patients what can be important for differential diagnosis of plural effusions origin.