Heparin induces rapid and remarkable elevation of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor during trans arterial embolization of renal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determined the change of serum hepatocyte growth factorl scatter factor (HGF) before and after transarterial embolization (TAE) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined serum HGF levels in two patients. RESULTS: Serum HGF levels rapidly increased to six-fold higher levels immediately after heparin-injection even before embolization. Serum HGF then decreased to below 1.0 ng/ml at 6 hours after the procedure. The second peak (a two-fold increase) appeared 1-3 days after TACE. The first increase may have been due to the injection of heparin which releases HGF from the cell-surface and extracellular matrix. HGF is a pleiotropic cytokine which has a potential to enhance cell motility and angiogenesis related to tumor progression and the first larger elevation of serum HGF is enough to make a physiological effects. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we should remind the physiological influence of heparin injection not only to prevent of clotting.