Goulart, AFerreira, CRodrigues, ACoimbra, BSousa, NLeão, P2019-07-182019-07-182019-07Ann Surg Treat Res. 2019 Jul;97(1):15-20.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.23/1330PURPOSE: Despite plasma biomarkers offering a number of advantages over tissue-based markers, the relationship between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGF-R) tumor expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. This study was designed to establish the relationship between the concentration of serum VEGF and tumor VEGF-R expression in patients with CRC. METHODS: A prospective study of consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery during 1 year. Preoperative VEGF was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and VEGF-R3 by immunochemistry. RESULTS: The initial sample included 134 patients with CRC diagnosis. Results showed significant association of serum values of VEGF with VEGF-R3 expression (P < 0.001), even in the presence of confounders (sex, age, body mass index, tumor location, and surgical approach). The estimated effect size was high (η2 = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF has a significant correlation with tumoral VEGF-R3 expression in CRC.engNeoplasias ColorrectaisFactores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascularjournal article10.4174/astr.2019.97.1.15