Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis (neovascularization) is a multistep process in which new blood vessels grow from existing vessels. Angiogenesis is associated with the growth, dissemination, and metastasis of solid tumors. There is increasing evidence that neovascularization may be important in hematological malignancies. Several studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important cytokines responsible for the development, maintenance, and progression of multiple myeloma (MM) by promoting bone marrow angiogenesis. A high serum concentration of VEGF has been reported in MM patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of VEGF in the bone marrow of MM patients.
METHODS: Eighteen paraffin-embedded bone marrow core biopsy specimens from newly diagnosed patients with MM were evaluated. In addition, 10 bone marrow core biopsy specimens from adult patients without evidence of malignancy were used as controls. Bone marrow sections were stained immunohistochemically for VEGF.
RESULTS: Our data show that multiple myeloma is associated with an increased expression of VEGF in the bone marrow.
CONCLUSIONS: Our observation supports previous studies suggesting that angiogenesis may play a role in the pathophysiology of hematopoietic malignancies. The clinical significance of this phenomenon needs further investigation. However, this study provides rationale for the use of angiogenesis inhibitors in MM therapy.