AIM: To identify relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)of uveal melanoma patients whether with uveal melanoma metastasis and prognosis.

METHODS: The peripheral blood VEGF of uveal melanoma patients and patients in normal control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The mRNA and protein expression level of VEGF in uveal melanoma tissues were analyzed through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western-blot. Uveal melanoma patients were followed up, and the relationship of baseline serum VEGF and postoperative metastasis was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: The expression level of peripheral blood VEGF was significantly increased in uveal melanoma patients than that in healthy people. The mRNA and protein expression level of VEGF in the uveal melanoma patients with metastasis when seeing a doctor were higher than patients without metastasis. In the process of follow-up, the uveal melanoma patients(serum VEGF ≥700pg/mL)had higher risk for tumor metastasis.

CONCLUSION: The expression level of VEGF of uveal melanoma patients is closely related to uveal melanoma metastasis.