SERUM LEVEL OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AS A DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR FOR COLORECTAL CANCER

The primary treatment for colorectal cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, is still drastic surgery, although an early detection is necessary. Carcinoemberyonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen are the serum indicators that are being employed in clinical practice for colorectal cancer (CA19-9). Due to their low sensitivity and specificity, both are only utilized for surveillance and as prognostic indicators for disease-free survival. They are not employed for diagnostic or screening reasons. Thus, a serum sign that aids in early detection is desperately needed. Targeting angiogenesis has been demonstrated to be a successful anti-tumor strategy, as it plays a crucial role in the growth and progression of tumors. One of the main stimulants of angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whose serum concentration has been linked to a wide range of human cancers and may serve as a prognostic indicator for solid tumors. The purpose of this study was to examine VEGF expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and compare the results to the clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients. The serum levels of CEA and CA19-9 were compared to the VEGF levels in 68 patients and 10 healthy controls. The findings demonstrated a significant correlation between the levels of CEA and CA19-9 and an elevated serum level of VEGF in CRC patients. In conclusion, measuring VEGF serum levels can help identify patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and pave the road for the targeted treatment of CRC patients with VEGF inhibitors.