Angiopoietins as biomarker of disease activity and response to therapy in multiple myeloma

Leuk Lymphoma. 2013 Jul;54(7):1473-8. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2012.745523. Epub 2012 Nov 26.

Abstract

Tumor angiogenesis is a complex process involving interplay of several angiogenic regulators. In the present study, mRNA expression and circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), hypoxia inducible factor (HiF)-1α, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) and bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated in multiple myeloma (MM). Compared to healthy controls, the levels of VEGF, bFGF, Ang-2, HiF-1α and cEPCs were significantly higher and Ang-1 and Ang-1/Ang-2 were lower in MM (p < 0.01). cEPC numbers correlated with Ang-1 (p = 0.03), Ang-2 (p = 0.01) and VEGF (p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, reduced Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio (p = 0.005) at baseline was an independent predictor for response to therapy. After therapy, a decrease in Ang-2 (p < 0.001) and an increase in Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio (p = 0.003) were observed in responders. This study highlights the role of angiopoietins in MM which may, thus, be evaluated as potential targets for anti-angiogenic therapy in future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiogenic Proteins / blood
  • Angiogenic Proteins / genetics
  • Angiogenic Proteins / metabolism
  • Angiopoietins / blood
  • Angiopoietins / genetics*
  • Angiopoietins / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics*
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Angiogenic Proteins
  • Angiopoietins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor