Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of endostatin and vascular epithelial growth factor in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of endostatin (ES), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in both serum and pleural effusion of lung cancer patients. Methods: Levels of ES. VEGF and CEA in 52 malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer and 50 patients with non malignant disease were measured by using sandwich enzyme linked inmumosorbent assay and microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Results: The ES. VEGF and LEA levels in pleural effusion and serum, and their ratio(F/S) were higher in lung cancer group than that in benign group, and the differences were. statistically significant(P<0.05). The diagnostic efficiency of ES+VEGF for lung cancer was superior to either single detection. The diagnostic efficiency of ES+VECF+CEA was superior to either ES+VEGF Or ES+CEA. Conclusions: the results suggest that ES, VEGF and LEA might be useful in the differentiation between benign and malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer. In comparison with either single determination of concentration in serum or plural fluid, the combined detection of two or three markers is of important clinical significance in the diagnosis of lung cancer.