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HelpMayo Test ID VEGF Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Plasma
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender-top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after specimen collection, place the tube on wet ice.
2. Centrifuge at 4° C, 1500 x g for 10 minutes.
3. Aliquot plasma into plastic vial.
4. Freeze specimen within 2 hours of collection.
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Reporting Name
Vascular Endothelial Growth Fctr, PSpecimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma EDTA | Frozen (preferred) | 21 days | |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Heat-treated | Reject |
Clinical Information
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical modulator of angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels).(1) In mammals, there are 5 members of the VEGF family, each arising from different genes, with VEGF-A being the most well-studied. VEGF-A promotes angiogenesis by inducing migration of endothelial cells, promoting mitosis of endothelial cells, and upregulating matrix metalloproteinase activity.(2) VEGF-A is regulated by hypoxia, with increased expression when cells detect an environment low in oxygen. Physiologically, VEGF induces new blood vessel formation during embryonic development, after tissue injury, and in response to blocked vessels.
VEGF also regulates pathological vessel formation, such as in tumor growth and metastases.(3) Angiogenesis during tumor development is complex, although it is clear that VEGF plays a key role. VEGF also regulates angiogenesis in other disease states including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. In addition, circulating concentrations of VEGF are elevated in patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, a monoclonal plasma cell disorder.(4) Although the pathologic role of VEGF in POEMS is unclear, it is useful as a diagnostic marker and for assessing response to therapy.
In addition to the various genes in the VEGF family, VEGFA has multiple splicing variants. VEGFA 165 is the predominant isoform.(2) An internal study has demonstrated that the VEGF assay used by Mayo Clinic Laboratories is specific for the splice variant of VEGF-A 165 and does not detect other isoforms of VEGFA or other VEGF gene products.
Reference Values
≤96.2 pg/mL
Cautions
Elevated circulating concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be observed in a variety of disease states, especially those associated with angiogenesis. Elevated concentrations of VEGF must be interpreted within the clinical context of the patient.
Normal concentrations of VEGF do not exclude the diagnosis of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome.
VEGF has limited stability. Following centrifugation, plasma must be either immediately frozen or refrigerated. Samples can only be stored at refrigerated temperatures for 24 hours, after which time samples must be frozen. Storage of plasma for any length of time at room temperature is not acceptable.
The presence of bevacizumab in patient serum interferes with detection of VEGF. Caution should be taken while interpreting results of patients receiving bevacizumab therapy.
Clinical Reference
1. Apte RS, Chen DS, Ferrara N. VEGF in signaling and disease: Beyond discovery and development. Cell. 2019;176(6):1248-1264
2. Otrock ZK, Makarem JA, Shamseddine AI. Vascular endothelial growth factor family of ligands and receptors: review. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2007;38(3):258-268
3. Siveen KS, Prabhu K, Krishnankutty R, et al. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in tumour vascularization: Potential and challenges. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2017;15(4):339-351
4. Brown R, Ginsberg L. POEMS syndrome: clinical update. J Neurol. 2019;266(1):268-277
Method Description
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokine assay measures human cytokines in a 96-well spotted plate. The assay employs a sandwich immunoassay format where capture antibodies are coated on a single spot on the bottom of each well. Diluted samples, calibrators, and controls are added and to the plate. If present, VEGF will bind to the capture antibodies. After incubation, a solution containing detection antibodies conjugated with electrochemiluminescent labels is added. After a final incubation, a buffer is added that creates the appropriate chemical environment for electrochemiluminescence. The plate is then read on the QuickPlex SQ120. The machine applies a voltage that causes bound labels to emit measurable light. The QuickPlex SQ120 measures the intensity of emitted light and correlates it to a set of standards of known quantity via a 4-point logistics curve fitting method.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
2 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83520
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VEGF | Vascular Endothelial Growth Fctr, P | 34694-0 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 63019 | VEGF, P | 34694-0 |
Useful For
Evaluation of patients with suspected POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome, particularly in differentiating from other forms of polyneuropathy and/or monoclonal plasma cell disorders
Interpretation
Elevated concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be consistent with a diagnosis of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome.
Decreasing concentrations of VEGF over time in a patient with POEMS syndrome may be consistent with a therapeutic response.