Serum human chorionic gonadotropin is associated with angiogenesis in germ cell testicular tumors

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research 2009-08, Vol.28 (1), p.120-120, Article 120
• Main Authors: Arrieta, Oscar, Michel Ortega, Rosa Mayela, Angeles-Sánchez, Julián, Villarreal-Garza, Cynthia, Avilés-Salas, Alejandro, Chanona-Vilchis, José G, Aréchaga-Ocampo, Elena, Luévano-González, Arturo, Jiménez, Miguel Angel, Aguilar, José Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; alpha-Fetoproteins - analysis; Biomarkers, Tumor - blood; Care and treatment; Chorionic Gonadotropin - blood; Control; Diagnosis; Health aspects; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - blood; Male; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - blood; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - blood supply; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - pathology; Neovascularization; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Testicular cancer; Testicular Neoplasms - blood; Testicular Neoplasms - blood supply; Testicular Neoplasms - pathology; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 1756-9966; 0392-9078; 1756-9966
• DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-28-120

Germ cell testicular tumors have survival rate that diminishes with high tumor marker levels, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG may regulate vascular neoformation through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our purpose was to determine the relationship between hCG serum levels, angiogenesis, and VEGF expression in germ cell testicular tumors. We conducted a retrospective study of 101 patients. Serum levels of hCG, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and lactate dehydrogenase were measured prior to surgery. Vascular density (VD) and VEGF tissue expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and underwent double-blind analysis. Histologically, 46% were seminomas and 54%, non-seminomas. Median follow-up was 43 +/- 27 months. Relapse was present in 7.5% and mortality in 11.5%. Factors associated with high VD included non-seminoma type (p = 0.016), AFP > or = 14.7 ng/mL (p = 0.0001), and hCG > or = 25 mIU/mL (p = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the only significant VD-associated factor was hCG level (p = 0.04). When hCG levels were stratified, concentrations > or = 25 mIU/mL were related with increased neovascularization (p < 0.0001). VEGF expression was not associated with VD or hCG serum levels. This is the first study that relates increased serum hCG levels with vascularization in testicular germ cell tumors. Hence, its expression might play a role in tumor angiogenesis, independent of VEGF expression, and may explain its association with poor prognosis. hCG might represent a molecular target for therapy.