CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN PEDIATRIC SOLID TUMOURS

Abstract

The growth of solid tumors requires induction and maintenance of an angiogenic response. This can occur through the release of various angiogenic growth factors from tumor cells. One such factor is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenesis, where by endothelial cells divide and migrate to form new blood capillaries and has been associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in several pediatric solid tumors. The study includes 60 serum samples divided into four groups:

1- Group 1: 15 newly diagnosed patients before treatment (10 males and 5 females), their ages varied from 3 to 17 years. 2- Group II: 15 patients withoutmetastasis under treatment (12 males and 3 females), their ages varied from 0.6 to 18 years. 3- Group III: 15 metastatic patients (7 males and 8 females), their ages varied from 2.5 to 16 years.