Platelet VEGF and serum TGF-β1 levels predict chemotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

We examined the levels of platelet vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF(PLT)) and serum level of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients before and after chemotherapy to assess their clinical value as biomarkers. A total of 115 subjects were recruited at the First Hospital of Qinhuangdao between July 2012 and October 2013, including 65 NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy (NSCLC group) and 50 healthy controls (control group). All NSCLC patients received gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP regimen) for a total of two courses. VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels were measured before and after chemotherapy using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Platelet count was obtained using the Abbott CD-1600 auto blood analyzer. NSCLC group was categorized into complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR) group and stable disease (SD) plus progressive disease (PD) group based on the results of CT scans obtained 1 week after chemotherapy. Our results revealed that VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in NSCLC group before chemotherapy, compared to the control group (VEGF(PLT), 0.813 ± 0.072 vs. 0.547 ± 0.024; t = 26.48; P < 0.001 and TGF-β1, 46.00 ± 4.47 vs. 16.43 ± 2.12; t = 44.87; P < 0.001). Importantly, VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels decreased significantly after chemotherapy in CR + PR group in comparison with before chemotherapy (VEGF(PLT), 0.453 ± 0.078 vs. 0.814 ± 0.127; t = 15.51; P < 0.001 and TGF-β1, 20.17 ± 2.43 vs. 42.13 ± 4.54; t = 27.31; P < 0.001). By contrast, VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels were markedly higher after chemotherapy in the SD + PD group in comparison with before chemotherapy (VEGF(PLT), 0.816 ± 0.043 vs. 1.065 ± 0.016; t = 22.38; P < 0.001 and TGF-β1, 41.80 ± 5.46 vs. 45.83 ± 4.62; t = 2.32; P = 0. 03). Our results show that NSCLC patients exhibit high VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels, and VEGF(PLT) and TGF-β1 levels correlate with chemotherapy response to GP regimen. Therefore, VEGF(PLT) and serum TGF-β1 levels are valuable biomarkers in clinical monitoring of NSCLC patients.