Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Angiogenesis seems to be important for leukemogenesis and susceptibility to intensive chemotherapy, and high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is detected in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To assess the correlation of plasma VEGF level with the response to remission induction therapy in adult AML PATIENTS.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
An analytical cross-sectional study performed on thirty adult patients with newly diagnosed AML. Plasma VEGF level measured by ELISA in all patients twice, before and after chemotherapy.
RESULTS:
The VEGF level was significantly higher in AML patients, at presentation, than control group with median level of 88.13 pg/mL and 49.26 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.002). The median VEGF level decreased after chemotherapy in patients who achieved complete remission although not statistically significant (P=0.071). Whereas the level increased significantly after treatment in patients who failed to response to induction therapy, from 66.27 pg/mL to 165.37 pg/mL (P= 0.025).
CONCLUSION:
Plasma VEGF level was high in adult AML patients at presentation and increases significantly after induction therapy in AML patients who responded poorly to treatment. However, in patients who achieved complete remission the level normalize after therapy, although statistically insignificant.
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