Objective: To evaluate serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a prognostic factor in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with metronomic (weekly) paclitaxel.
Design: Before-and-after trial.
Patients: A total of 33 consecutive patients were enrolled. Patients with recurrent and/or metastatic cancer of the head and neck refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy met inclusion criteria.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Intervention: Patients were treated weekly with 80 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel for 6 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures: Blood samples were collected after each dose and analyzed for serum VEGF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze serum VEGF levels.
Results: In 33 patients, complete response was achieved in 1 (3%) and partial response in 20 (61%). No differences were found between responders and nonresponders with different levels of serum VEGF at any of the measurement times (baseline, after the first dose, and after the sixth dose). In responders, the median level of serum VEGF decreased after the first dose compared with baseline, but by the sixth dose, the median serum VEGF level had returned to baseline levels in all groups. The intensity of the serum VEGF level decrease (simple decrease, a decrease of at least 30%, or a decrease of at least 70%) was not related to response. The progression-to-disease time increased in the patients with a serum VEGF level reduction of at least 30% (P = .01) after 6 doses and decreased in patients with initially high levels, which remained high after the sixth dose (P = .03).
Conclusions: Serum VEGF levels after the first dose of paclitaxel may predict response to weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Initially high serum VEGF levels that persist after the sixth dose predict a shorter period until tumor progression.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archotol.133.11.1143 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammation resolution and angiogenesis in fat grafts in a controlled mouse model.
Plast Reconstr Surg
January 2025
All from the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shijingshan District, Beijing, China.
Background: The upregulation or delay of acute inflammation at any stage limits fat graft survival. Active endogenous inflammation resolution mechanisms and mediators are novel therapeutic tools for inflammation. This study explored the effects of supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) deriving specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) on postoperative inflammation and graft survival in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFConcoctive principles of detoxification and retention of the main toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii and its anti-inflammatory efficacy by concocting with the medicinal excipient Spatholobi Caulis juice.
Fitoterapia
January 2025
College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China; Co-Construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of P.R. China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China. Electronic address:
Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), which has severe hepatotoxicity, is commonly used as anti-rheumatism. Using the juice of auxiliary herbs in concocting poisonous herbs is a conventional method for toxicity reduction or efficacy enhancement. Traditional Chinese Pharmacy textbooks record that Spatholobi Caulis (SC) can alleviate the side effects caused by TW and also possesses excellent hepatoprotective effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHIF-1α and VEGF Immunophenotypes as Potential Biomarkers in the Prognosis and Evaluation of Treatment Efficacy of Atherosclerosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)
January 2025
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece.
Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and its related vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a significant role in atherosclerosis and their targeting is a strategic approach that may affect multiple pathways influencing disease progression. This study aimed to perform a systematic review to reveal current evidence on the role of HIF-1α and VEGF immunophenotypes with other prognostic markers as potential biomarkers of atherosclerosis prognosis and treatment efficacy.
Methods: We performed a systematic review of the current literature to explore the role of HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression along with the relation to the prognosis and therapeutic strategies of atherosclerosis.
Activity of Selected Bone Formation and Angiogenesis Markers During the Treatment of Limb Length Discrepancy in Children Using Distraction Osteogenesis with the Circular Hexapod External Fixator.
J Clin Med
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-614 Lublin, Poland.
Limb lengthening and deformity correction techniques, particularly distraction osteogenesis, have significantly evolved in pediatric orthopedics. This study examines the temporal changes of key biochemical markers-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1), and the propeptide of type I collagen (P1NP)-during the limb lengthening process. Twenty pediatric patients (aged 13-16) underwent distraction osteogenesis using the Circular Hexapod External Fixator.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCalcium Chloride vs. Mechanical Preparation of Fibrinogen-Depleted Human Platelet Lysate: Implications for Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Culture.
Life (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
Fetal bovine serum (FBS) has long been the standard supplement in cell culture media, providing essential growth factors and proteins that support cell growth and differentiation. However, ethical concerns and rising costs associated with FBS have driven researchers to explore alternatives, particularly human platelet lysate (HPL). Among these alternatives, fibrinogen-depleted HPL (FD-HPL) has gained attention due to its reduced thrombogenicity, which minimizes the risk of clot formation in cell cultures and enhances the safety of therapeutic applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!