A vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphism predicts malignant potential in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). METHODS A total of 169 IPMN and 108 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients who underwent curative resection were enrolled, and VEGF +405G/C and -460C/T SNPs were investigated. RESULTS Vascular endothelial growth factor +405C/C was found more frequently in malignant IPMNs compared with +405G/G (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; P = 0.04), and +405C allele was associated with malignant IPMNs compared with +405G (P = 0.055). In branch duct IPMNs, VEGF +405C/C was significantly associated with malignant transformation (CC vs GG: OR, 4.0; P = 0.03; CC vs CG + GG: OR, 3.3; P = 0.04), and there was a trend of VEGF +405C/C associated with malignant transformation of gastric-type IPMNs (CC vs GG: OR, 3.0; P = 0.07). When the survival outcomes were analyzed based on VEGF +405G/C SNPs, however, there was no relationship between VEGF SNPs and overall survival in patients with both IPMNs and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS Vascular endothelial growth factor +405G/C SNP was significantly associated with malignant transformation in IPMNs, especially branch duct and gastric-type IPMNs. Vascular endothelial growth factor +405G/C SNP might be helpful in predicting clinical course in pancreatic disease with potential for malignant transformation.