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Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in multiple myeloma
Author(s) -
Iwasaki Tsuyoshi,
Hamano Teruaki,
Ogata Atsushi,
Hashimoto Naoaki,
Kitano Masayasu,
Kakishita Eizo
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.0007-1048.2002.03364.x
Subject(s) - hepatocyte growth factor , medicine , angiogenesis , vascular endothelial growth factor , multiple myeloma , neovascularization , chemotherapy , endocrinology , gastroenterology , vegf receptors , receptor
Summary. Angiogenesis is a crucial process in the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are multifunctional cytokines that potently stimulate angiogenesis including tumour neovascularization. Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were measured in 52 patients with MM by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum levels of VEGF and HGF were elevated in MM patients compared with healthy controls (VEGF: mean 0·31 ng/ml and 0·08 ng/ml respectively, P < 0·01; HGF: mean 2·17 ng/ml and 0·45 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0·001). In serial samples taken after chemotherapy, serum VEGF and HGF levels were correlated with M‐protein levels. Serum levels of VEGF were higher in patients with extramedullary plasmacytomas than in patients without them ( P < 0·05). They were also significantly higher in a group of patients who showed poor response to chemotherapy ( P < 0·01). Serum levels of HGF were higher in patients with complications such as anaemia, hypercalcaemia and amyloidosis than in patients without these complications ( P < 0·01, P < 0·05, P < 0·05 respectively). Both serum VEGF and HGF levels were significant predictors of mortality ( P = 0·01, P = 0·02, respectively, log‐rank test). The present study demonstrated that serum levels of VEGF and HGF are significantly elevated and dependent on the severity of MM, suggesting that measurement of VEGF and HGF may be useful for assessing disease progression and for predicting the response to chemotherapy in MM patients.