[Expression of osteopontin and VEGF in acute leukemia and their relationship with angiogenesis]

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in acute leukemia (AL) and its significance in the angiogenesis and progress of AL. Serum levels of OPN and VEGF in 25 de novo patients, 19 complete remitted (CR) patients, 14 unremitted patients, and 11 relapsed patients with AL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and compared with those in normal controls. The results showed that the serum levels of OPN and VEGF in de novo, unremitted, relapsed patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls and CR patients (p < 0.01). Compared with de novo AL patients group, the serum levels of OPN and VEGF in CR patients decreased significantly, but showed no significant difference from those in normal controls (p > 0.05). The expression of OPN and VEGF in acute leukemia was positively correlated with occurrence and development of AL. It is concluded that the expressions of OPN and VEGF are closely related with AL occurrence and development, the OPN may regulate VEGF expression and promote angiogenesis in acute leukemia. Preventing expressions of OPN may seem as targets for leukemia therapy in the future.