Results of serum VEGF studies during primary brain tumor

Abstract

Background: Due lack of specific markers to identify primary brain tumors, the diagnostic confirmation is done by MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) imaging, and biopsy during surgery. Although immunohistology testing is the standard method to identify primary brain tumors, some tumors are located in surgically inaccessible locations. VEGF plays an important role in neoangiogenesis during primary brain tumors. A 2013 study by Radu Albulescu et al., in 2013 included 50 individuals diagnosed with glioblastoma, and study has shown that higher levels of VEGF mRNA in cells with high death rates which may have diagnostic value. Aim: To use serum VEGF as an additional tumor marker in patients with primary brain tumors. Materials and Methods: Ethical approval for the study was obtained through a review meeting of the Research Ethical Committee of MNUMS on March 22, 2024 (№2024/3-03). A total of 84 relatively healthy individuals who were diagnosed with a primary tumor and referred to the Department of Neurosurgery of Third State Central Hospital named after Shastin were included in the study. Determination of serum VEGF was made by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: 57 (67.9%) patients with primary tumors and 27 (32.1%) healthy patients participated in the study, the average age was 48.57±12.75 years old, and the gender ratio was 47 (56%) female and 37 (44%) males. Serum VEGF ranged from 30.69242.60 (median 41.90) pg/ml in subjects with primary brain tumors and 25.74-103.64 (median 35.03) pg/ml in healthy subjects. Results were assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test, and compared to healthy participants, participants with primary brain tumors had statistically significant (p<0.01) increase in serum VEGF. When the amount of serum VEGF was comparatively studied by grade of primary brain tumor, the grade 4 primary brain tumor had the highest serum VEGF of 147.76 (69.28, 237.80) (p<0.012). When studied whether serum VEGF and grade of primary brain tumor did not correlate by regression analysis (R=0.03 p>0.192) there was no statistically significant correlation between the two variables (Spearman’s correlation R=0.122 p>0.3). When studied the level of VEGF in the diagnostic classification of primary brain tumors, the highest level of 147.76 (69.28, 237.80) pg/ml was found in glioblastoma (p<0.026). A detailed ROC analysis showed a VEGF had a specificity of 59% and a sensitivity of 77.2%. Conclusions: 1. The level of VEGF was significantly increased in primary brain tumors compared to in healthy individuals (p<0.01). 2. The determination of serum VEGF levels in primary brain tumors suggests the potential use of it as an additional diagnostic criterion.