title: Vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression in myelodysplastic syndrome bone marrow cells: biological and clinical implications.
abstract: In myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may have regulatory effects on the hematopoietic system and contribute to disease progression. We analyzed by immunocytochemistry VEGF expression in bone marrow (BM) cells from 188 patients with MDS and 96 non-hemopathic subjects. We also measured VEGF BM plasma levels and in vitro VEGF release. Our aims were to evaluate whether VEGF expression abnormalities were associated with relevant laboratory or clinical findings and their possible prognostic value. In MDS, VEGF expression was higher than in controls (p < .0001) and VEGF release was significantly higher in the low-risk cases. A trend to a positive correlation between VEGF myeloid expression and apoptotic rate was observed. High myeloid VEGF levels were independently associated with longer overall survival (p < .0001) and progression-free survival (p = .0002). Our findings suggest that, in MDS, VEGF production and release may contribute to ineffective hematopoiesis, with a potential prognostic role.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Rosangela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Travaglino
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo Giovanni
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Della Porta
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malcovati
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallì
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bastia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciola
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ambaglio
authors.affiliation: c Department of Human Pathology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boveri
authors.affiliation: d Biotechnology Research Area , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology Oncology , IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D015415:Biomarkers; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015415:Biomarkers; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
keywords: Vascular endothelial growth factor; bone marrow; myelodysplastic syndrome; prognosis