Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, Flt-1, in haematological cancers: a comparison with breast cancer.

Raised plasma VEGF is found in some cancers but levels of its receptor soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) are unreported. Hypothesising increased levels to be present in haematological cancers, we measured both by ELISA in 22 patients with haematological cancer, 22 with breast cancer, and in age- and sex-matched controls. VEGF was raised in both patients groups compared to controls (P < 0.01) but was higher in haematological cancer compared to breast cancer (P = 0.0238). There was no difference in levels of sFlt-1. Our data point to changes in levels of plasma VEGF, but not sFlt-1, in haematological cancer that may have pathophysiological consequences.