Cerebrospinal fluid VEGF levels and angiogenic capacity as potential prognostic markers in patients with gliomas: a pilot study

Introduction Gliomas are tumors of the central nervous system. Despite new classifications, they are still divided in low and high-grade gliomas, being the latter of greater malignancy. The degree of malignancy is directly related with the angiogenic activity in tumoral tissues. We measured VEGF concentrations and angiogenic capacity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with high and low-grade gliomas. The purpose of this study was to find a biomarker that contributes in the differential diagnosis and prognosis of gliomas. Methods CSF was obtained from 19 individuals: 8 with low-grade gliomas, 6 with high-grade gliomas and 5 controls. VEGF concentration in CSF was measured by ELISA and the angiogenic capacity was measured by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test. Results The VEGF concentration was higher in patients with high-grade gliomas, compared to patients with low-grade gliomas and controls (2860 pg/mL +/- 975 vs. 182.6 +/- 37.1 and 47.4 +/- 0.4, respectively). On the other hand, CSF from patients with high-grade gliomas generated a higher microvascular density (MVD) than patients with low-grade gliomas and controls (13.23 +/- 0.6 vessels/9000 mu m(2) vs. 9.3 +/- 0.3 and 7.92 +/- 0.2, respectively). Interestingly, there was not statistical differences in both VEGF levels and angiogenic capacity in patients with low-grade gliomas and controls. Conclusion Together VEGF levels and angiogenic capacity in CSF can be used as a biological marker of gliomas malignancy.