title: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: correlation of clinical stages with angiogenic cytokine expression.
abstract: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of non-cycling B cells in lymphatic and extralymphatic tissues. Earlier studies had validated that angiogenesis was increased in B-CLL. Increased serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) connote a poor prognosis in early-stage B-CLL. Early progression is also related to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which inhibits B-cell proliferation and immunoglobulin production. The authors investigated the expression of CD34, VEGF, bFGF, and TGF-beta and their receptors in different stages of B-CLL by analyzing bone marrow samples from 23 patients (11 with Rai stages 0-II; 12 with stages III or IV). TGF-beta2 was expressed more strongly in stages 0 to II than in stages III or IV (P=0.03). There was no significant difference in the intensity of CD34, TGF-beta1, VEGF, and bFGF and their receptors between stages 0 to II and stages III or IV. Staining showed bFGF expression to be stronger than VEGF expression (P=0.001). Results did not confirm an association between the intensity of angiogenesis and B-CLL stage. The expression of TGF-beta2 was stronger in early-stage disease and may help slow disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Phyliky
authors.forename: Chin-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D016207:Cytokines; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors