Serum Vascular Endothelial Gowth Factor Correlates with Hasford Score in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Introduction and Aim Increased angiogenesis in BM is one of the characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) implicated in its progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) one of the most potent regulator of angiogenesis is increased in CML. The prognostic impact of serum VEGF in CML is largely unknown with sparse literature from India. So the present study aimed to measure serum VEGF levels in different phases of CML and to assess its prognostic significance using Hasford score. Methods Forty Ph + patients of CML were enrolled in the study. Complete clinical history and physical examination was done. Hemogram was done by Beckman Coulter LH 500. Peripheral smear (Wright's stain) was done by microscopy. Serum VEGF (plain vial) using ELISA was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20. Results The mean serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). The patients in accelerated/blast phase demonstrated significantly higher levels of serum VEGF (mean 151 pg/mL) than those in the chronic phase (mean 90.87 pg/mL) (p = 0.02). Serum VEGF levels showed a significant positive correlation with the overall Hasford prognostic score (p = 0.023). Conclusion Serum VEGF levels can serve as an independent prognostic marker in CML patients irrespective of phase of CML. Also, S. VEGF levels can be used to monitor patients on imatinib therapy and identify those who might benefit from antiangiogenesis therapy. However, larger studies are needed with a larger number of patients in different phases of CML to validate our findings and thus pave the way for future research.