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Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor during the normal menstrual cycle
Yoka H Kusumanto1, Geke A P Hospers, Wim J Sluiter
1Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
Anticancer Research
|March 2, 2005
Summary
Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) levels decrease during the menstrual cycle, with the lowest levels observed during the secretory phase. This finding does not indicate optimal timing for breast cancer surgery based on VEGF levels.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Menstrual cycle phases are associated with hormonal fluctuations.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a role in angiogenesis and tumor metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between menstrual cycle phases and circulating VEGF levels.
- To determine if VEGF levels vary significantly during the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Serum and whole blood VEGF levels were measured in premenopausal women.
- Menstrual cycle phases were determined using hormonal measurements.
- Correlation analysis was performed between VEGF and progesterone levels.
Main Results:
- Serum VEGF levels showed an inverse relationship with progesterone levels (r = -0.6, p = 0.012).
- Serum VEGF levels decreased throughout the menstrual cycle.
- The lowest serum VEGF levels were observed during the secretory phase.
Conclusions:
- Serum VEGF levels are inversely correlated with progesterone during the menstrual cycle.
- VEGF levels exhibit a cyclical pattern, decreasing in the secretory phase.
- Current findings do not support using individual VEGF levels to time breast cancer surgery.