sVCAM-1, and TGFβ1 in chronic phase, chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

The outcome for chronic phase (CP) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients has changed dramatically since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. We examined the characteristics of CML patients during TKI therapy by determining the plasma concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and transforming growth factor (TGFβ1) biomarkers. The plasma levels of sVCAM-1 and TGFβ1 were measured by ELISA at baseline and after 3 months of TKI treatment. The levels of sVCAM-1, and TGFβ1 were significantly elevated in patients with CML (P< 0.01). Dasatinib treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the levels of these biomarkers (P< 0.01). In conclusion, plasma levels of sVCAM-1 and TGFβ1 could have a role in the pathogenesis of CML and may be used as predictors of hematological and molecular responses to TKIs. A favorable outcome for Dasatinib therapy was observed.