Abstract:

Objective This study aims to investigate the expression levels of serum and urinary vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in proliferating infantile hemangioma patients under propranolol treatment. Methods Propranolol (0.5–2 mg•kg−1) was orally administered to 30 infants every day for 4–8 months. The Achauer method was used to measure the tumor radius and thus evaluate the clinical curative effects of the treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 at 0, 4, and 12 weeks after the treatment. Results The treatment response was excellent in 2 patients, good in 11, moderate in 14, and poor in 3. Serum VEGF-A (335.692 pg•mL−1±136.146 pg•mL−1) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after 4 weeks (264.853 pg•mL−1±122.120 pg•mL−1) and 12 weeks (211.345 pg•mL−1±104.035 pg•mL−1) of treatment (P<0.05). Urinary VEGF-A (76.234 pg•mL−1±24.169 pg•mL−1) was high before the treatment and then significantly decreased after four weeks (56.454 pg•mL−1±16.111 pg•mL−1) and twelve weeks (34.728 pg•mL−1±12.656 pg•mL−1) of treatment (P<0.05). Serum and urinary EGFL7 also decreased after the treatment, showing a positive relationship with VEGF-A. Conclusion Propranolol can be safely and effectively used to treat proliferating infantile hemangiomas. This treatment can reduce the peripheral serum and urinary concentrations of VEGF-A and EGFL7 in affected children.

Key words: propranolol, proliferating infantile haemangioma, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, epidermal growth factor-like domain 7