Serum PlGF and EGF are independent prognostic markers in non-metastatic colorectal cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 29;9(1):10921. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47429-5.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of circulating angiogenic cytokines in non-metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Preoperative serum samples of a training (TC) (n = 219) and a validation cohort (VC) (n = 168) were analyzed via ELISA to determine PlGF, EGF, VEGF, Ang1, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, IL-8 and bFGF levels. In addition, survival was correlated with PlGF and EGF expression measured by microarray and RNAseq in two publicly available, independent cohorts (n = 550 and n = 463, respectively). Prognostic values for overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were determined using uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses. Elevated PlGF is predictive for impaired OS (TC: HR 1.056; p = 0.046; VC: HR 1.093; p = 0.001) and DFS (TC: HR 1.052; p = 0.029; VC: HR 1.091; p = 0.009). Conversely, elevated EGF is associated with favorable DFS (TC: HR 0.998; p = 0.045; VC: HR 0.998; p = 0.018) but not OS (TC: p = 0.201; VC: p = 0.453). None of the other angiogenic cytokines correlated with prognosis. The prognostic value of PlGF (OS + DFS) and EGF (DFS) was confirmed in both independent retrospective cohorts. Serum PlGF and EGF may serve as prognostic markers in non-metastatic CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Placenta Growth Factor / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • PGF protein, human
  • Placenta Growth Factor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor