Angiopoietin-2: a potential novel diagnostic marker in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) was the first hematological malignancy in which a prognostic relevance of bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis was reported. Microenvironment formed by reactive oxygen species, growth factors and chemokines initiates the process of BM angiogenesis. Among the angiopoietins, angiopoietin-1 is involved in vessel stability, whereas angiopoietin-2 is involved in vessel sprouting. Design and methods: Circulatory levels of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2 and VEGF in 62 MM patients and 50 healthy controls were determined using ELISA. Results: Significant increase in VEGF and angiopoietin-2 level was observed in patients which correlated positively with the severity of the disease, whereas no alteration was observed in angiopoietin-1 levels. Conclusion: Significant elevation in angiopoietin-2 and VEGF levels and their correlation with severity of the disease indicate their utility as potential tumor markers along with β ₂- microglobulin and might also suggest new therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.