Alterations of circulating bone marrow-derived VEGFR-2+ progenitor cells in isolated limb perfusion with or without rhTNF-α.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) as recruited to the angiogenic vascular system of malignant tumors have been proposed as a biomarker in malignancies. The effect of antitumor chemotherapy on cEPCs is not fully understood. We examined the level of cEPCs, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-2 in the blood of sarcoma and melanoma patients before and after isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with or without recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α (rhTNF-α).

Methods

Twenty-two patients, 11 each with soft tissue sarcoma or recurrent melanoma of the limb, were recruited. ILP was performed with rhTNF-α/melphalan (TNF) or melphalan only (no TNF). Fifteen healthy volunteers served as control subjects. Blood was sampled before and up to 6 

SUBMITTER: Nowak K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3764318 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature