Prognostic role of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor-1 in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM: To present long-term results regarding the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) for esophageal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 68 esophageal cancer patients, VEGF, VEGFR-1 plus ten other factors were analyzed for locoregional control (LRC), metastases-free survival (MFS) and survival up to 10 years.

RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, improved LRC was associated with hemoglobin during radiotherapy ≥12 g/dl (p=0.001). VEGF-negativity showed a trend for better LRC on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, better MFS was associated with hemoglobin ≥12 g/dl (p=0.012), better performance status (p=0.009) and lower tumor stage (p=0.032). On multivariate analysis, improved survival was associated with hemoglobin ≥12 g/dl (p<0.001) and better performance status (p=0.005). Trends for improved survival were observed for VEGF-negativity and VEGFR-1-negativity on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSION: VEGF showed a trend towards worse LRC and survival, VEGFR-1 towards worse survival. Outcomes were associated with hemoglobin, performance status and tumor stage.