Elevated Plasma Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Hepatocyte Growth Factor: Clinical Significance and Correlation with Tumor Burden in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Angiogenesis is an established indispensable process in the development and metastasis of solid tumors. Its significance in the pathogenesis and progression of hematological malignancies is still to be elucidated. Data have recently been accumulated about its role in chornic myeloid leukemia (CML). The aims of our study were: (I) to assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plasma levels in patients with newly diagnosed, untreated and treated CML; (II) to analyze the differences of their levels in varying phases of the disease; (III) to analyze VEGF and HGF correlation with some markers reflecting the tumor burden as well as the progression of the disease. Plasma levels of VEGF and HGF were determined by ELISA in 16 patients with CML and 21 healthy individuals. VEGF and HGF levels were followed-up in 6 patients according to the progression of the disease or the treatment regimen. All the patients with CML showed significantly higher levels of VEGF and HGF when compared to the control group. We found a significant correlation between HGF and leukocytes, LDH, splenomegaly and blast percentage in the peripheral blood. Significant correlation was found between VEGF and platelets, LDH and leukocytes. Our data indicate that CML are highly associated with elevated plasma levels of VEGF and HGF, wich corroborates the thesis of its angiogenic dependency. Likewise, the present study suggests that measurements of VEGF and HGF may be useful for assessing disease activity and progression as well.