Acute myeloid leukemia is detected by angiogenesis biomarkers

09-13-2006

According to recent research from the United States, "Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, are important therapeutic targets for various cancers including AML. Paraffin-embedded bone marrow samples (PE-BM) are, in most cases, the only tissue accessible to perform retrospective analyses of novel targets such as VEGF and/or its receptors."

"As a result, it limits our options to immunohistochemistry (IHS), or more expensive and less practical techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We analyzed the feasibility of IHS to measure VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in 28 AML samples using monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) against Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR/Flk-1 (VEGFR-2)," wrote M.A. Kharfan-Dabaja and colleagues, University of Southern Florida.

Researchers added, "Medical records were reviewed for relevant clinical information. Expression of VEGFR-1+ and VEGFR-2+ were seen in 25% (7/28) and 43% (12/28) respectively. Forty-six percent (13/28) were dual-negatives for VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2; 14% (4/28) were dual-positives for VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. An inferior survival was observed in patients whose myeloblasts express either VEGFR-1+ or VEGFR-2+, or both.

"Determination of expression of VEGF receptors (1 and 2) by IHS in PE-BM tissue is feasible. Prospective comparison of IHC to flow cytometry or other molecular techniques, and assessment of the prognostic significance of VEGF receptors in AML patients is warranted."

Kharfan-Dabaja and colleagues published their study in Clinical and Laboratory Haematology (Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in acute myeloid leukemia: incidence and feasibility of immunohistochemical staining. Clin Lab Haematol, 2006;28(4):254-258).

For additional information, contact M.A. Kharfan-Dabaja, University of Southern Florida, College Medicine, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Division Blood & Marrow Transplantation, 12902 Magnolia Dr., SRB-4, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Clinical and Laboratory Haematology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Tampa, Florida, United States, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Angiogenesis, Bone Marrow, Diagnostics, Growth Factor Receptors, Oncology, Prognostics, Proteomics, Tyrosine Kinase, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor.

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