Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) protein expressions in serum of patients with colorectal cancer and their clinical significance. Methods  Sixty-six patients with colorectal cancer (colorectal cancer group) and 40 healthy people (control group) were enrolled in the study, and their fasting venous blood was collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum VEGF and sICAM-1 protein expressions, and their relationships with tumor growth site, TNM staging, tumor infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Results  The levels of VEGF and sICAM-1 protein expressions were distinctly higher in colorectal cancer group than in control group (all P<0.01), and they were significantly higher in patients at phases Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ than in those at phase Ⅳ  (all P<0.01); serum VEGF level in patients with complete intestinal wall infiltrated by tumors and lymph node metastasis was obviously higher than those without complete infiltration and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Conclusion  Levels of VEGF and sICAM-1 protein expressions may be a valuable adjuvant diagnosis and metastatic index to judge the recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Key words: Colorectal cancer; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay