title: Prognostic impact of angiopoietin-2 in multiple myeloma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Angiogenesis is an essential process for the expansion of multiple myeloma (MM). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Ang-1 and their receptor possess important roles in this procedure. The aim of the study was to measure serum levels of Ang-2 along with known markers of angiogenesis and to estimate their prognostic impact on the survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone marrow microvascular density (MVD), estimated by CD31, and circulating levels of known angiogenic factors Ang-2, interleukin-6, soluble CD105 and platelet-derived growth factor-AB, measured by ELISA, were measured in 77 newly diagnosed patients with active MM and in 57 of them who responded to chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All measured parameters were increased in MM patients, were also increasing in advanced disease and decreased after effective treatment. Ang-2 correlated positively with the other angiogenic factors and MVD. Moreover, Ang-2 values above the median were accompanied by worse survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ang-2 correlates strongly with the angiogenic process and its serum levels are importantly prognostic for survival, highlighting the role of angiopoietins pathway in the biology of MM.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Department, Venizelion General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alexandrakis
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boula
authors.forename: Aspasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thanasia
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konsolas
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alegakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsirakis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042683:Angiopoietin-1 / Q000097:blood; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply*; D000071063:Endoglin; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C467630:ANGPT1 protein, human; C586513:ANGPT2 protein, human; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C095477:platelet-derived growth factor AB