J Korean Med Sci.  2001 Feb;16(1):45-50. 10.3346/jkms.2001.16.1.45.

Clinical significance of microvessel density in multiple myeloma patients

• Ahn MJ
• Park CK
• Choi JH
• Lee WM
• Lee YY
• Choi IY
• Kim IS
• Lee WS
• Ki M

• KMID: 1066493
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2001.16.1.45

Abstract

To investigate the role of angiogenesis in multiple myeloma (MM), bone marrow biopsy from 75 adults with newly diagnosed, untreated MM were evaluated. Microvessels were scored in at least 3 areas ( x 200 fields) of the highest microvessel density in representative sections of each bone marrow specimen using immunohistochemistry for CD34. Prognostic variables were also evaluated for the overall survival. Microvessel counts were significantly higher in patients with MM (n=69.42+/-9.67), compared with control (n=26.81+/-2.85). Microvessel density had a weak correlation with percentage of bone marrow plasma cells. By univariate analysis, age, beta2-microglobulin, serum albumin, serum creatinine, serum calcium, hemoglobin, platelet count, and bone marrow plasma cell percentage were correlated with survival. By multivariate analysis, age, serum albumin, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, platelet count and bone marrow plasma cell percentage were correlated with overall survival, whereas microvessel density was not. In summary, microvessel density in bone marrow of MM is significantly increased compared to control, but was not correlated with overall survival. Further studies regarding angiogeneic molecules are needed to determine the functional role of angiogenesis in MM.

Keyword

Microvessel Density; Multiple Myeloma; Survival

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bone Marrow/blood supply
Endothelial Growth Factors/physiology
Female
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Human
Lymphokines/physiology
Male
Microcirculation
Middle Age
Multiple Myeloma/therapy
Multiple Myeloma/mortality
Multiple Myeloma/blood supply*
Neovascularization, Pathologic/physiopathology*
Survival Rate