VEGF in the Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome in Patients with Lung Cancer

Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome( CACS) occurs in 30–80% of patients with cancer. CACS is con­nected with poor prognosis and higher risk of treatment complications. CACS belongs to the common cause of death in cancer patients. Main role in the development of this syndrome play cytokines like TNF, interleukin 1 and 6 and interferon α and γ. The importance of a lot of other substances is still unknown. VEGF promotes new vessels development, enhance vascular permeability and plays a role in inflammatory reaction. The aim of this study was comparison of VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer with and without CACS and in control group. The serum levels of VEGF were measured by ELISA method. The VEGF was significatly higher in patients with lung cancer then in control group (p = 0.004). There were no correlations between VEGF and weight lost, histological type and stage of disease. This suggest that VEGF doesnt play a role in development of CACS.