Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Neopterin Levels in Children with Steroid-sensitive and Steroid-resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

The association between serum hypoxia inducible factor-1α level and urothelial bladder cancer: A preliminary study

INTRODUCTION

We aim to evaluate the association between serum hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α level and stage and grade of urothelial bladder cancer (UBC).

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan, Indonesia. Inclusion criteria for case group was subject aged 18 years or older and diagnosed with UBC based on histopathological examination. Control group consisted of gender and age matched healthy subjects. Serum HIF-1α level was determined using ELISA method. Data was analyzed with chi square, Mann Whitney, and independent T tests.

RESULTS

A total of 80 subjects were enrolled and divided into case and control groups equally. Most subjects were males with mean age of 69.65 years for case group and 68.25 years for control group. Most subjects had advanced primary tumor and lymph node stages. Only 30% subjects had metastasized UBC. Higher serum HIF-1α level was observed in case group (p < 0.001). Serum HIF-1α level was strongly associated with metastasis stage (p < 0.001), followed by lymph node (p = 0.005) and primary tumor (p = 0. 013) stages. Serum HIF-1α level was not associated with grading (p = 0.134).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum HIF-1α level is associated with staging but not grading of UBC.

Association between VEGF Gene Polymorphism -634G>C and Risk of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Angiogenesis is a central process in carcinogenesis and is affected by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Several genetic variations, such as polymorphism, may alter VEGF expression and influence the risk of colorectal cancer. AIM: The objective of this study was to determine the association between VEGF gene polymorphism -634G>C and risk of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik general hospital and its sister hospitals. Subjects were obtained by consecutive sampling. Inclusion criteria for case and control groups were patients with colorectal cancer and healthy subject, respectively, aged 18 years or older and willing to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria were patients with systemic comorbidities or malignancies in other organs. Each subject undergoes an interview, colonoscopy, biopsy, serum VEGF level measurement, and VEGF polymorphism -634G>C evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty subjects were enrolled and distributed into case and control groups. Males were dominant in both groups, with a mean age of older than 55 years. Most lesions were in the rectum and 45% of subjects had moderately differentiated cancer. The median serum VEGF level in the case group was higher than the control group (2,175.1 pg/mL vs. 253 pg/mL; p < 0.001). VEGF gene polymorphism -634G > C was associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (p = 0.048). GG and GC genotypes had 1.89 times higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to the CC genotype. GG genotype and G allele had the highest serum VEGF levels. CONCLUSION: There is an association between VEGF gene polymorphism -634G>C and risk of colorectal cancer in this study.