Tissue Homogenate VEGF Levels in Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors vs. Controls: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Background/Objectives: Tumors of the salivary glands represent a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors, the diagnosis and treatment of which present significant clinical challenges. One of the key processes affecting the progression of these tumors is angiogenesis, in which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors play a fundamental role. The aim of the present study was to assess differences in VEGF levels in salivary gland tumor tissue compared with normal salivary gland tissue. Methods: Salivary gland tissue samples were obtained by surgical resection. Thirteen patients were included in the study, nine with malignant lesions and four patients with normal salivary gland tissue as controls. After tissue homogenization, VEGF concentration was analyzed by a chemiluminescent ELISA (Human VEGF QuantiGlo ELISA Kit, QVE00B; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Results: VEGF concentrations in salivary gland tumor tissue homogenate supernatants showed a higher central tendency than controls, but the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.199; Welch's t-test as sensitivity analysis, p = 0.102). Conclusions: VEGF quantification in salivary gland tissue homogenate supernatants was feasible and showed substantial inter-individual variability with partial overlap between tumors and controls. Although tumors showed higher central tendency, the differences were not statistically significant in this small cohort; therefore, the findings are hypothesis-generating and do not support diagnostic or prognostic claims.