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

BackgroundMultiple 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 methodsCirculatory levels of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2 and VEGF in 62 MM patients and 50 healthy controls were determined using ELISA.ResultsSignificant 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.ConclusionSignificant elevation in angiopoietin-2 and VEGF levels and their correlation with severity of the disease indicate their utility as potential tumor markers along with β2- microglobulin and might also suggest new therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.