BACKGROUND/AIMS: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor) are promoters of angiogenesis. It was the aim of this study to investigate a possible coexpression of both growth factors in tumor samples of pancreatic cancer patients in relation to survival after resection of the tumor. METHODOLOGY: We investigated the expression of VEGF165 and EGF in tumor specimen from 19 patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Growth factor expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Coexpression of VEGF165 and EGF was observed in tumor samples of 9 (47%) patients. VEGF165 and EGF expression in the same tumor correlates significantly (P < 0.05, Fisher-test). UICC stage III pancreatic carcinoma patients with VEGF165 negative tumor cells had a significantly better outcome after surgery compared to UICC stage III patients with VEGF165-positive tumor cells (median survival time 19 months vs. 9 months respectively; P < 0.05, Wilcoxon-test). CONCLUSIONS: Antiangiogenic therapy after surgery for pancreatic cancer may be beneficial, especially for UICC III patients.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor) are promoters of angiogenesis. It was the aim of this study to investigate a possible coexpression of both growth factors in tumor samples of pancreatic cancerpatients in relation to survival after resection of the tumor. METHODOLOGY: We investigated the expression of VEGF165 and EGF in tumor specimen from 19 patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Growth factor expression was determined using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Coexpression of VEGF165 and EGF was observed in tumor samples of 9 (47%) patients. VEGF165 and EGF expression in the same tumor correlates significantly (P < 0.05, Fisher-test). UICC stage III pancreatic carcinomapatients with VEGF165 negative tumor cells had a significantly better outcome after surgery compared to UICC stage III patients with VEGF165-positive tumor cells (median survival time 19 months vs. 9 months respectively; P < 0.05, Wilcoxon-test). CONCLUSIONS: Antiangiogenic therapy after surgery for pancreatic cancer may be beneficial, especially for UICC III patients.