Expression of VEGF and VEGF receptors in childhood precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia evaluated by immunohistochemistry

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009 Sep;31(9):696-701. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3181b258df.

Abstract

Perturbation in the expression and signaling pathways of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been linked to pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. We investigated the expression and clinical importance of VEGF and two of its receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, in childhood precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) by using immunohistochemistry. These angiogenic proteins were expressed in the majority of leukemic bone marrow samples. Notably, pre-B ALL patients had significantly increased expression of VEGFR-1 compared with no expression in the nonmalignant group, indicating a link between VEGFR-1 protein expression and pre-B ALL. These novel findings suggest that VEGFR-1 may have clinical importance in childhood pre-B ALL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
  • Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / analysis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / analysis*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / genetics

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2