Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta serum concentrations during first-line therapy in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis plays an important role in ovarian cancer. The interaction of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-β) with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the process of angiogenesis may represent an essential feature in the progression of the disease.

METHODS: Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, who underwent primary surgery and platinum-based first-line chemotherapy, were included. A total of 133 serum samples from 39 patients were analyzed. Samples were prospectively collected at 4 time points: (1) before surgery, (2) after surgery and before chemotherapy, (3) during chemotherapy and (4) after chemotherapy. Serum PDGFR-β was quantified by ELISA. We analyzed the correlation of serum levels to chemotherapy response, progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) and the serum markers CA-125 and VEGF-165.

RESULTS: Serum concentration of PDGFR-β ranged between 4 and 72 ng/ml and increased significantly during first-line chemotherapy (p = 0.019). PDGFR-β serum concentrations showed an inverse correlation with CA-125 and VEGF-165 after chemotherapy (r = -0.495, p = 0.003 and r = -0.345, p = 0.04, respectively). Increased PDGFR-β serum levels after chemotherapy were significantly correlated with better PFS (p = 0.026) and OS (p = 0.013) in a univariate analysis.

CONCLUSION: PDGFR-β might be a useful biomarker in terms of prognosis and could be important as antiangiogenic agents become a component of standard treatment in ovarian cancer.