Serum levels of angiopoietin-2 and C-reactive protein in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients: relation to different phases of the disease

ABSTRACT

Serum levels of Angiopoietin-2 [Ang-2] and C-reactive protein [CRP] were measured in 50 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] [30 patients in chronic phase [group A] and 20 patients in advanced phase [group B]] and 15 healthy age and sex matched subjects as a control group, to investigate their relation to different phases of the disease. Serum levels of both Ang-2 and CRP were significantly higher [p <0.05] in patients group compared to controls, and in advanced stage compared to chronic phase. Furthermore a significant positive correlation was detected between Ang-2 and CRP in the whole patients group which could support the hypothesis that CRP might play a role in modulating angiogenesis. The present data suggest that both Ang-2 and CRP could play a role in the leukemic process. Understanding their roles may help in follow-up care and in designing new therapeutic strategies for CML. Furthermore the role of CRP in modulating angiogenesis should not be underestimated