Objective To analyze the changes in serum levels of cancer-associated fibroblast-related factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and inflammatory mediatorsinterleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and their relationship with clinicopathological features.
Methods A total of 180 patients with EC were selected as EC group, and 100 patients with benign endometrial lesions who visited the hospital during the same period were selected as control group. The serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-1 and IL-6 were compared between the two groups, as well as among EC patients with different clinicopathological features. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the above-mentioned serum indicators and clinicopathological features in EC patients.
Results The serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-1 and IL-6 in the EC group were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth ≥1/2 and lymph node metastasis were higher than those in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth < 1/2 and no lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that the serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients were positively correlated with myometrial invasion depth and lymph node metastasis status, respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1, IL-1 and IL-6 are significantly elevated in EC patients. These indicators are significantly correlated with clinicopathological features and have potential value in the early diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and targeted therapy of EC.
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