The contents of VEGF in the pleural effusion and serum of the patients with malignant pleural effusion (n = 35) and benign pleural effusion (n = 30) were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of lung-specific X protein (LUNX) mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in differentiating pleural effusion of different origin.
Elevated serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which strongly promotes neovascularization and vasopermeability, are considered to be responsible for the characteristic symptoms such as angiomata, pleural effusion/ascites, edema, and organomegaly in the disorder.
The detection of VEGF mRNA and endostatin mRNA appears to be suitable for distinguishing carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells in pleural effusions, they could be useful to diagnose the pleural micrometastasis.
Complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions (empyema) have a 19-fold higher VEGF level than pleural fluids secondary to congestive heart failure and a 4-fold higher level than pleural fluids secondary to uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions.