Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in a case of pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Correlation with disease activity

J Rheumatol. 2004 Mar;31(3):614-6.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a cytokine overexpressed in hypoxic and malignant pathologies. VEGF induces vascular hyperplasia, new bone formation, and edema. These histological abnormalities characterize hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. We describe a case of pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with high circulating VEGF levels. Removal of the lung tumor led to a dramatic disappearance of the skeletal abnormalities and to reduction of circulating VEGF levels. Histochemical studies of the excised tumor confirmed abnormal VEGF production.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / blood
  • Adenocarcinoma / complications*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / blood
  • Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / etiology*
  • Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / metabolism
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A