Pretreatment angiogenic cytokines predict response to chemoimmunotherapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Br J Haematol. 2009 Sep;146(6):660-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07811.x. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Abstract

Serum levels of pro-[vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] and anti-[thrombospondin-1 (TSP)] angiogenic cytokines were prospectively measured in a phase II trial of chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients (n = 56). Pretreatment VEGF levels were lower among patients who achieved complete remission (CR) or nodular partial remission (nPR) relative to those with partial remission (PR) or stable/progressive disease (median 122.0 pg/ml vs. 246.8 pg/ml; P = 0.03). VEGF:TSP ratio was lower (anti-angiogenic phenotype) among patients who achieved CR/nPR. The pretreatment VEGF:TSP ratio also correlated with overall survival (P = 0.008). A pro-angiogenic profile appears associated with diminished response and inferior survival in CLL patients receiving CIT.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / blood*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / therapy
  • Pentostatin / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rituximab
  • Thrombospondin 1 / blood*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / blood*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thrombospondin 1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Pentostatin
  • Rituximab
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Cyclophosphamide