Angiogenic growth factors and endostatin in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A number of clinical studies have demonstrated the prognostic significance of angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors in solid tumours: however, ve ry little is known about the relevance of these parameters in haematologica l malignancies. We evaluated circulating levels of angiogenic growth factor s and endostatin in 36 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients. Baseline vasc ular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels of patients in complete remiss ion (CR) after a median follow-up of 21 months were significantly lower tha n those of patients with progressive disease (P=0.016). Event-free survival (EFS) rate was significantly higher in patients who had baseline VEGF and basic-fibroblast growth factor (b.FGF) levels below the median values of 14 7 and 19.5 pg/ml (P = 0.018 and 0.039 by log-rank test, respectively), Conv ersely, the levels of endostatin, angiogenin and leptin were not different in CR patients compared to relapsed patients and did not correlate with EFS . Our data suggest that b-FGF and, particularly VEGF might be considered pr ognostic factors in NHL staging and management.