Objectives: Tumor angiogenesis is known to support the spread and invasion of tumor cells, allow distant organ metastasis and to result in poorer prognoses and increased mortality. Since vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is the major regulator of angiogenesis, in the present study the associations of the VEGF-A +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms with risk, primary tumor location, prognosis and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) were investigated in Turkish subjects. Material and Methods: A total of 153 subjects consist of 74 controls and 79 CRC diagnosed patients were included in the study. VEGF-A +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms were analyzed using the Agena MassARRAY platform. Results: The VEGF +405GC+CC genotypes were found to be significantly associated with left colon cancer (unadjusted OR = 5.208 95% CI: 1.064-25.496, p = 0.04). The VEGF -460TT and CT+TT genotypes were associated with reduced liver metastasis risk (OR = 0.080 95% CI: 0.009-0.689 p = 0.02 and OR = 0.191 95% CI: 0.039-0.925, p = 0.04, respectively). Patients with the VEGF +405GG genotype showed longer progression-free survival in response to bevacizumab treatment (Log rank = 6.92, p = 0.03). Conclusion: According to our results, the VEGF +405G>C and -460C>T polymorphisms were found to be associated with CRC prognosis, sidedness and metastases. Our findings need to be replicated in further studies.
Keywords: +405G>C; VEGF; bevacizumab; colorectal cancer; metastasis; −460C>T.