Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Its Receptor in Newly Diagnosed Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Autocrine and paracrine loop involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor have been described in haematological malignancies. However, scarce literature is present on angiogenesis in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with studies showing controversial results. The aim was to study serum levels of VEGF and its receptors in paediatric ALL at the time of diagnosis and at the end of induction phase and to compare these levels with clinico-haematological parameters in these patients. Serum VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay at diagnosis (day 0) and at the end of induction phase (day 35) in 30 newly diagnosed paediatric ALL patients and in 10 healthy controls. Median s-VEGF was significantly lower at day 0 as compared to day 35 (196.15 vs. 606.75 pg/ml: p