1800 Williams St., Suite 200 • Denver, CO 80218
Phone 303-388-4876 • Fax 303-336-2193 • Toll Free 1-800-891-7622

URL http://www.rockymountainbmt.com/news/Acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-remission-is-likely-when-lymphangiogenesis-factor-is-absent-4336.html

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remission is likely when lymphangiogenesis factor is absent

09-15-2006

Scientists in Poland conducted a study "to investigate the immunocytochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and its receptors (VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3) in childhood ALL blasts and to determine the possible role of this complex in the pathogenesis and prognosis of ALL. Bone marrow samples were taken from 120 children diagnosed with ALL."

"An indirect immunocytochemical procedure was performed with the use of monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies against VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 (diluted 1:100). The immunocytochemical expression of VEGF-C was confirmed exclusively in the cytoplasm of ALL lymphoblasts (the mean percentage was 36.4+/-7.2). It was absent from the cytoplasm of normal haematopoietic cells in the control group. No VEGFR-2 or VEGFR-3 expression was detected in the children of either the study or control groups," reported M. Nowicki and colleagues, Poznan University of Medical Science.

According to investigators, "The risk of induction failure or leukaemic relapse was found to be significant in all VEGF-C+ patients (p<0.0001 and p<0.02, respectively; Fisher's exact test). The absence of VEGF-C in blast cells predicts long-lasting remission in all leukaemic children."

"Our findings also suggest that leukaemic cell invasion, following VEGF-C-driven lymphangiogenesis, could be related to a mediating role of this peptide produced by blast cells themselves."

Nowicki and colleagues published their study in Histopathology (Vascular endothelial growth factor C - a potent risk factor in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: an immunocytochemical approach. Histopathology, 2006;49(2):170-177).

For additional information, contact M. Nowicki, Poznan University of Medical Science, Dept. of Histol & Embryology, Poznan, Poland.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Histopathology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Poznan, Poland, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Angiogenesis, Immunology, Pediatrics, Prognostics, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Lymphangiogenesis, Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Cancer Invasion.

This article was prepared by Hematology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Hematology Week via NewsRx.com.