Rapid decrease in serum VEGF-A levels may be a worse prognostic biomarker for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer treated with bevacizumab and gemcitabine

摘要

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the association between changes in the levels of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) after treatment with bevacizumab and gemcitabine (Bev-Gem) and the clinical outcome. Methods Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients treated with Bev-Gem therapy at our hospital between 2014 and 2018 were identified. Serum VEGF levels at the first and second treatment cycle were measured by ELISA. All patients were categorized into two groups-patients with > 50% decrease in serum VEGF-A levels (Group A) and patients with 10% increase in serum VEGF-B levels in Group A than in Group B (p < 0.01). Conclusion The rapid decrease in VEGF-A levels and the resultant increase in serum VEGF-B levels might be associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome. Large-scale studies are needed to further examine these results.