Authors: Zhou, W-B.¹; Bai, M.²; Jin, Y.²

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 13, Number 3, March 2009 , pp. 381-386(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin in the differential diagnosis of malignant and tuberculous pleural effusions (PE).

METHODS: Effusion samples were collected from 62 patients with malignant PE caused by lung cancer and from 64 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Concentrations of pleural fluid VEGF and endostatin were measured simultaneously using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated.

RESULTS: PE levels of VEGF and endostatin were found to be significantly elevated in effusions with malignancy rather than in those of tuberculous origin (both P < 0.01). For VEGF, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosing malignant pleural effusions were respectively 71%, 61% and 66%, while for endostatin the values were respectively 69%, 83% and 76%. A combination of VEGF and endostatin can increase these to respectively 81%, 97% and 89%.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of VEGF and endostatin in pleural effusions may be helpful in diagnosing malignant pleural effusions, while a combination of VEGF and endostatin can increase the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of differentiating malignant from tuberculous pleural effusions.

Keywords: vascular endothelial growth factor; endostatin; pleural effusion; lung cancer; tuberculosis

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Oncology, Hubei Provincial Corps Hospital, Chinese People Armed Police Forces, Wuhan, China 2: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

Publication date: 2009-03-01

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• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

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