Analysis of Correlation between Bone Marrow Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor per Platelet Count and Blast Percentage in Hematologic Malignancies

Objective. Bone marrow (BM) samples reflective of the BM condition are more suitable than peripheral blood samples for the measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in relation to hematologic malignancy. However, BM VEGF levels require calibration, with respect to the platelet count, to eliminate any influence of VEGF released from platelets during sample processing. This parameter is termed the BM VEGF per platelet count. Our aim was to measure BM VEGF per platelet count of patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancy and to analyze its association with several hematological parameters, including BM blast percentages. We also compared the BM VEGF per platelet count and BM blast percentage between the disease and control groups. Methods. BM plasma samples were collected from 73 patients classified into myeloproliferative neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), plasma cell neoplasm (PCN), and control groups. Luminex assays were used to quantify BM VEGF levels. BM cellularity and cell percentage were assessed using BM biopsy and aspiration slides, respectively. Data on hematological parameters were collected from medical records. Single and multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationships between different parameters. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test. Results. Independent factors associated with BM VEGF per platelet count included BM blast percentage (%), BM band neutrophil %, BM neutrophil %, and BM cellularity. Multiple regression analyses using the four factors generated the following model (adjusted R-2=0.290): BM VEGF per platelet count (x10(-6) pg)=1.488+0.059xBM blast (%). BM VEGF per platelet count was the highest in the AML group (n=13) and lowest in the control group (n=14). Similarly, BM blast % was the highest in the AML group. Compared to that in the PCN group (n=11), the BM blast % in the MDS group (n=12) was higher. Conclusion. BM VEGF per platelet count was related to BM blast %, and both parameters showed similar intergroup patterns, indicating an association.