title: VEGF expression correlates with microvessel density in Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
abstract: We examined microvessel density (MVD) and immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the bone marrow biopsy specimens of 98 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs). There were significantly more MVD "hot spots" in chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF; mean +/- SD, 25.6 +/- 6.3) and polycythemia vera (PV; 20.7 +/- 10.2) cases than in essential thrombocythemia (ET) cases (10.1 +/- 4.5) and normal control (NC) samples (7.5 +/- 3.6) (P < .05). Similar results were found using a semiquantitative method (P < .0001). A calculated VEGF index (VEGF(i)) was higher in CIMF (0.29 +/- 0.15) and PV (0.28 +/- 0.20) cases than in ET (0.12 +/- 0.05) and NC (0.08 +/- 0.04) cases (P < .0001). MVD and VEGF(i) were higher in the myelofibrotic phases of CIMF and PV. There was a direct correlation between VEGF(i) and MVD when considering the Ph- CMPDs together (r = 0.67; P < .001) and when considering PV (r = 0.79; P < .001) and CIMF (r = 0.40; P = .013) as individual entities. Our data could provide a rationale for directly targeting VEGF or endothelial cells in CIMF and PV.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Odontology, San Paolo Hospital, and Policlinico IRCCS Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gianelli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vener
authors.forename: Paola Rafaniello
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Raviele
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Savi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Somalvico
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calori
authors.forename: Alesndra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iurlo
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Radaelli
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fermo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bucciarelli
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bori
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coggi
authors.forename: Giorgio Lambertenghi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Deliliers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054438:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic, Atypical, BCR-ABL Negative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A