Effect of arsenic trioxide on vascular endothelial growth factor after transarterial chemoembolization in primary carcinoma of liver

Objective: To observe the effect of arsenic trioxide on vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) after transarterial chemoembolization in primary carcinoma of liver.Methods: We prospectively studied 30 consecutive primary carcinoma of liver patients after transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),who were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.Arsenic trioxide was injected intravenously in patients in the treatment group(n=15),while saline was injected in those in the control group(n=15).The VEGF in serum was tested before TACE and 3,8,or 16 days after TACE.Results: Compared with that before TACE,the VEGF in serum raised significantly 3 days and 8 days after TACE both in the 2 groups.The VEGF level was not significantly different between the 2 groups(P0.05).However,the VEGF level decreased significantly 16 days after TACE in the treatment group,while the VEGF level still raised in the control group(P0.01).Conclusion: Arsenic trioxide may reduce the VEGF level in serum after TACE.