Changes of vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in serum of patients with primary hepatocellur carcinoma

Objective To investigate vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and TNF-α levels in the serum of patients with primary hepatocellur carcinoma(HCC),and to evaluate their relevance with the development and metastasis of HCC.Methods VEGF and TNF-α levels in serum were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) technology in 87 patients with HCC and 10 healthy individuals.Results Serum VEGF and TNF-α,levels in HCC patients were significantly higher than that in the contorl group.In addition,HCC patients infected with hepatitis virus(including HBV and HCV) showed a remarkable elevation in serum VEGF and TNF-α levels.The VEGF and TNF-α levels in HCC with metastasis were also higher than those without metastasis.Conclusion The serum VEGF and TNF-α levels in HCC patients might serve as the pivotal biological indices that could reflect HCC progressien and metastasis. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Tumor necrosis factor-α