VEGF expression correlates with microvessel density in Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders

We examined microvessel density (MVD) and immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the bone marrow biopsy specimens of 98 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPDs). There were significantly more MVD "hot spots" in chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF; mean ± SD, 25.6 ± 6.3) and polycythemia vera (PV; 20.7 ± 10.2) cases than in essential thrombocythemia (ET) cases (10.1 ± 4.5) and normal control (NC) samples (7.5 ± 3.6) (P < .05). Similar results were found using a semiquantitative method (P < .0001). A calculated VEGF index (VEGF (i)) was higher in CIMF (0.29 ± 0.15) and PV (0.28 ± 0.20) cases than in ET (0.12 ± 0.05) and NC (0.08 ± 0.04) cases (P < .0001). MVD and VEGF(i) were higher in the myelofibrotic phases of CIMF and PV. There was a direct correlation between VEGF(i) and MVD when considering the Ph- CMPDs together (v = 0.67; P < .001) and when considering PV (r = 0.79; P < .001) and CIMF (r = 0.40; P = .013) as individual entities. Our data could provide a rationale for directly targeting VEGF or endothelial cells in CIMF and PV.