VEGF expression correlates with microvessel density in Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
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.
Gianelli
Umberto
U
Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Odontology, San Paolo Hospital, and Policlinico IRCCS Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, University of Milan, Italy.
Vener
Claudia
C
Raviele
Paola Rafaniello
PR
Savi
Federica
F
Somalvico
Francesco
F
Calori
Rossella
R
Iurlo
Alesndra
A
Radaelli
Franca
F
Fermo
Elisa
E
Bucciarelli
Paolo
P
Bori
Silvano
S
Coggi
Guido
G
Deliliers
Giorgio Lambertenghi
GL
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*
D015415:Biomarkers; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A