Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic cytokine that plays an important role in growth, development and progression of the tumour. We investigated expression of VEGF in oral cancer patients and its effect on proliferation of OSCC cell lines. Methods: Cell and tissue expression of VEGF was determined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assay while serum level of VEGF was determined by ELISA. Tumour cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Results: Serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in oral cancer patients (p. <. 0.0001) as compared to normal controls that further showed an increasing trend with clinical stage and lymph node involvement. In ROC analysis serum VEGF level distinguished between patients and normal subjects with a higher sensitivity (65.71%) and specificity (66.67%). It was significantly upregulated in tumour tissues and in OSCC cell lines. Exogenous VEGF treatment significantly enhanced proliferation of SCC-4 and SCC-9 cell lines. Conclusion: It seems therefore that serum VEGF level may be a reliable biomarker and may be a potential target for development of chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies for patients with tobacco-related oral carcinoma.