Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with hemangiosarcoma

J Vet Intern Med. 2001 Mar-Apr;15(2):131-5. doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2001)015<0131:pvegfc>2.3.co;2.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a dimeric glycosylated polypeptide growth factor with potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability-enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. In humans, VEGF seems to play a major role in tumor growth, and plasma concentrations correlate with tumor burden, response to therapy, and disease progression. This study compared plasma VEGF concentrations in healthy client-owned dogs (n = 17) to dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA; n 16). Dogs with HSA were significantly more likely to have detectable concentrations of plasma VEGF (13/17) compared to healthy dogs (1/17; P < .001). The median plasma VEGF concentration for dogs with HSA was 17.2 pg/mL (range, < 1.0-66.7 pg/mL). Plasma VEGF concentrations in dogs with HSA did not correlate with stage of disease or tumor burden, but 1 dog had undetectable VEGF during chemotherapy that subsequently increased with disease progression.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dog Diseases / blood*
  • Dogs / blood*
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Hemangiosarcoma / blood
  • Hemangiosarcoma / veterinary*
  • Lymphokines / blood*
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / veterinary
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Lymphokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors