Circulating serum sVCAM-1 concentration in advanced ovarian cancer patients: correlation with concentration in ascites

Authors

  • Marina Jakimovska University Clinical Center Ljubljana
  • Katarina Černe Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana
  • Ivan Verdenik University Medical Centre Ljubljana
  • Borut Kobal University Clinical Center Ljubljana

Abstract

Background: Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is associated with ovarian cancer progression but the origin of its soluble form (sVCAM-1) in serum is not well investigated.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether the concentration of sVCAM-1 in serum correlates with the concentration in ascites, that represents local tumour environment, and with systemic inflammation, various clinicopathological characteristics, and patient outcome.

Patients and methods: Thirty-six patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included in the study. Serum for sVCAM-1 analysis was obtained prior to surgery. Ascites samples were collected at the beginning of the operation. Clinical data were collected from patients’ medical records. sVCAM-1 in samples was analysed by flow cytometric bead-based assay. The mean follow-up period was 11 months (range 0-23) from the time of surgery.

Results: Serum sVCAM-1 concentrations are positively correlated to ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations. There was a weakly positive correlation of serum sVCAM-1 with tumour size and no correlation with inflammatory tumour markers, FIGO stage or grade. Higher concentrations of sVCAM-1 were associated with poor disease outcome (death from ovarian cancer) in almost all cases before chemotherapy was started.

Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating that serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 in advanced ovarian cancer patients correlate with sVCAM-1 concentrations in ascites, thus expressing the biologic potential of malignant disease to metastasis, rather than systemic inflammation. Higher serum and ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations might have predictive potential for different biologic behaviour.

Author Biographies

  • Marina Jakimovska, University Clinical Center Ljubljana
    Department of Gynaecology
  • Katarina Černe, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana
    Department of Farmacology and Experimental Toxicology
  • Ivan Verdenik, University Medical Centre Ljubljana
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Borut Kobal, University Clinical Center Ljubljana
    Department of Gynaecology

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Published

2014-08-27

Issue

Section

Clinical oncology

How to Cite

Circulating serum sVCAM-1 concentration in advanced ovarian cancer patients: correlation with concentration in ascites. (2014). Radiology and Oncology, 48(3). https://www.radioloncol.com/index.php/ro/article/view/1918