The significance of angiogenesis for predicting optimal therapeutic response in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients

In this study the correlation and the prognostic value of the morphometric parameters of angiogenesis for optimal therapeutic response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), i.e. complete cytogenetic response (CCgR) and major molecular response (MMoR), were investigated. Microvascular density (MVD) and a number of different size- and shape-related morphometric parameters of microvessels of bone marrow biopsy from 40 CML patients and 20 controls were examined. Microvessels of bone marrow were examined by using immunohistochemical staining for CD34 and quantified in the region of the most intense vascularisation by using image analysis.

CML patients had significantly higher angiogenesis parameters when compared with controls. A statistically significant correlation was found between some parameters of angiogenesis and evaluated CCgR and MMoR. For achievement of CCgR, lower values of MVD, minor axis, area, circularity, and roundness and higher value of aspect ratio, while for achievement of MMoR only lower values of MVD have been identified as positive prognostic factors.

Besides confirming increased angiogenesis in CML patients, this study also demonstrated prognostic significance of the degree of angiogenesis for the clinical outcome and identified angiogenic predictive factors for achieving optimal response on TKIs therapy.