Clinical importance of serum vascular endothelial and basic fibroblast growth factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The aim of this study is to evaluate, for the first time serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (s-VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (s-b FGF) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and its relation to clinical manifestations of the disease. Although VEGF and b FGF have been suggested to be reliable prognostic indicators and important tools for treatment approach in malignant haematopoietic and solid tumours, experience in childhood ALL has been limited to only one study on angiogenesis and urine b FGF. All 31 ALL patients included in the present study at the time of diagnosis and in remission, and all 10 control children had detectable serum levels of VEGF and b FGF. The median level of s-VEGF at the time of diagnosis was significantly lower than in the control group and at the time of remission (respectively p=0,005, p=0,0001). Twenty six of 31 patients had an increasing trend of s-VEGF levels in remission reaching control values compared with the levels obtained at diagnosis. S-b FGF median levels at the time of diagnosis were the same as those of the control group, significantly lower than the median s-b FGF values in remission (p=0,001). In patients with lower platelet counts (<50 x 10(9)/L) growth factors (VEGF and b FGF) were lower than in patients with higher platelet counts (p=0,0009 and p=0,002 respectively). In patients with hepatosplenomegaly (longitudinal size> 3 cm) b FGF levels were higher than patients without hepatosplenomegaly (P=0,003). We concluded that the increment in both s-VEGF and s-b FGF in patients in remission may be related to the renewal of normal haematopoiesis. The increase in s-VEGF values in 26 out of 31 patients in remission compared to normal control values, may also suggest that there is clinical significance in ALL patients.