Cancer is one of the top medical killers in the world, preceded by heart issues and strokes.
With that said, it is important to have an idea of how tumors form and how to prevent them.
One of the vital proteins in the regulation of the human body’s function is the VEGF PROTEIN.
Though VEGF typically plays a part in embryo development, it can also affect the adult body.
Read on to learn what VEGF does for your body, how it can be regulated, and what you need to discuss with your doctor regarding your VEGF levels to ensure you remain healthy.
What is the VEGF protein?
The VEGF protein (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor protein) is also known as VPF (Vascular Permeability Factor).
There are five members of the VEGF family that arise from different genes in mammals.
It is one of the main factors in the formation of new blood vessels.
At first it was thought it was an essential growth factor for the inner lining of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
As a tumor grows, it requires oxygen from your blood, which is why most tumors show higher levels.
VEGF can also cause cancer to spread into other areas of your body faster.
The presence of VEGF may also cause blood vessels to leak, leading to swelling in areas around them.
This can affect brain cancer patients and also lead to eye problems.
Leaking blood vessels in your eyes can cause macular degeneration in older people and changes in the eyes due to diabetes.
High levels can also lead to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
VEGF can cause a rare disorder named POEMS syndrome.
POEMS stands for the major signs and symptoms of the disorder.
It can cause
- Polyneuropathy (a malfunction of many peripheral nerves in your body)
- Organomegaly (enlargement of your organs)
- Endocrinopathy (a disease found in the endocrine gland or a hormone problem)
- Monoclonal gammopathy (an excess of proteins in the blood)
- And Skin abnormalities
Not always a bad thing
Your body automatically makes more VEGF at certain times.
One of those times is when your tissues aren’t getting enough oxygen.
Your body will make more VEGF so new blood vessels can grow.
This means VEGF can be a good thing when found in the lungs, because it promotes good blood flow there.
VEGF is vital for embryonic growth, as well, since a major part of forming a baby is the growth of blood vessels.
Higher levels of VEGF after tissue injury or when your vessels are blocked help you to heal faster and better.
Diagnosing issues
There are several tests that can be done to find your VEGF levels.
One of the ways is through a blood sample from your arm or hand.
Another is by testing your plasma with centrifugation using an Elisa machine.
Good levels of VEGF are typically between 27 and 86 pg/ml (picogram per milliliter).
Any levels of VEGF between 37 and 310 pg/ml may indicate cancer.
These levels are for those who have a plasma test.
For those tested with their blood, a good level is 17-287 pg/ml and levels that indicate cancer are 92-390 pg/ml.
A level between 140 and 693 pg/ml may indicate tumor growth.
For those with cancer, a doctor may order tests to determine if you also have high blood pressure, damage to your liver, or an underactive thyroid gland.
These symptoms could mean you have higher levels of VEGF.
One of the easy ways to tell if you may have high levels of VEGF is if you have any symptoms of POEMS syndrome.
Treatment
High levels of the VEGF protein can be treated in many ways.
One of the easiest is with Aspirin or vitamin A, since it reduces the production of it.
There are also anti-VEGF medications that a doctor can give you to slow or stop the growth of blood vessels in the eyes, this medication may also improve your vision.
The three main medications used are Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea.
They are administered to a numbed eye with an injection into the white part using a very thin needle.
In conclusion, VEGF causes blood vessels to grow, which can be good when needed, but may also lead to other issues like cancer or tumor growth and eye problems.
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