Trial Information

In malignant or neoplastic disease, angiogenesis is defined as the generation of new
capillaries from preexisting blood vessels, e.g. by sprouting or by intusseption. Through
the pioneering work of Folkman, it was recognized that angiogenesis plays an important role
in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. It is also conceivable that there are
forms or developmental stages of leukemia, multiple myeloma, or lymphomas that will progress
independently of angiogenesis. Synthesis of angiogenesis activators, such as vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other angiogenic factors, such as basic fibroblast
growth factor (bFGF), has been demonstrated for leukemia cells, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and
myeloma cells. Microvessel density is also significantly elevated over normal controls with
progressive increases according to the stages of myelodysplastic syndrome. Increased
microvessel density (MVD) in the bone marrow was found in patients with multiple myeloma in
comparison to normal controls and increased MVD is an adverse prognostic marker in multiple
myeloma. However, the functional status of the blood vessel (e.g. permeability) cannot be
determined by the above mentioned methods.