title: The utility of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with POEMS syndrome.
abstract: The POEMS syndrome is associated with elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Several studies have compared serum VEGF levels between POEMS patients and other disease entities showing higher serum VEGF in POEMS syndrome; however, it is unknown whether serum levels are reliable and reproducible given variable platelet release of VEGF. We therefore compared plasma levels of VEGF in 29 patients with POEMS syndrome with those of other disorders (n = 76). We demonstrated that plasma VEGF levels are useful in differentiating POEMS from other plasma cell dyscrasias, neuropathic processes, and multisystem illnesses. Plasma VEGF is also useful in monitoring disease activity after treatment and correlates with clinical improvements better than hematologic response.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: D'Souza
authors: Suzanne R
authors: SR
authors: Hayman
authors: Francis
authors: F
authors: Buadi
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Mauermann
authors: Martha Q
authors: MQ
authors: Lacy
authors: Morie A
authors: MA
authors: Gertz
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Kyle
authors: Shaji
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Philip R
authors: PR
authors: Greipp
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Lust
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Russell
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Zeldenrust
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Dingli
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Witzig
authors: S Vincent
authors: SV
authors: Rajkumar
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Dispenzieri
mesh_terms: D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D016878:POEMS Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A