Biomedical subjects

G Ranieri

Publications and source records attributed to G Ranieri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Is the efficacy of LDL apheresis in ischemic optic neuropathy linked to a reduction in endothelial activation markers?

Endothelial dysfunction of the optic microcirculation is considered to be the main pathogenetic mechanism in nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. The aim of the present work was to assess whether a clinical improvement is correlated with a reduction in the endothelial activation markers by means of LDL apheresis (LDLA). Three weekly sessions of LDLA were administered in 23 patients affected by nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. Statistically significant reductions were achieved in all parameters: total cholesterol (44.6%), LDL cholesterol (54.6%), fibrinogen (60.9%), von Willebrand factor (38.6%), sE-Selectin (22.6%), sICAM-1 (14%) and sVCAM-1 (15.5%), each of which was correlated with an improvement in the mean deviation of the visual field, although statistical significance for the single parameters was not reached. However, analysis of variance between the mean deviation improvement and the set of parameters taken together yielded highly significant results (p < 0.0001). LDLA was effective in reducing the values of all evaluated endothelial activation markers, and this trend was correlated with an improvement in the visual field.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in hepatocellular cancer patients undergoing percutaneously radiofrequency thermal ablation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play a central role in tumour angiogenesis. However, no data have been published with regard to the clinical-biological significance of serum (S)-VEGF in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients undergoing to percutaneously radiofrequency thermal ablation (PRFA). The aim of this study was to assess the modifications of S-VEGF levels in a series of 28 HCC patients in hepatitis C virus-positive cirrhosis before and after PRFA, respectively. Samples of S were taken before, 2 and 5 days after PRFA respectively and VEGF levels were assessed by ELISA. No significant difference was found between pre- and post-VEGF levels (p= n.s.; by Wilcoxon test). We suggest that S-VEGF level is not useful as early predictive marker of response to PRFA.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of 69 lung neoplasms.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) is a new, minimally invasive technique offered in the treatment of various neoplasms. RFA produces ionic agitation within the area to be treated, resulting in the heating of neoplastic tissue using a radiofrequency generator. Well defined areas of coagulative necrosis are formed, thereby destroying the tumor. Percutaneous CT-guided RFA was performed in 34 patients with 69 lung neoplasms. Six patients were affected by primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and 28 patients presented with metastatic lung nodules originating in various solid tumors. Patients were considered ineligible for surgery for the following reasons: medical comorbidities; technical reasons; severe respiratory insufficiency; refusal of surgery. Adequacy of treatment was assessed by CT-Scan and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) with gadolinium. A median follow-up of 9 months (3-25 months) resulted in 30 patients evaluable for response with a total of 63 nodules to be treated, 58 of which achieved complete necrotic response. Relapse occurred in 5/63 treated nodules. In 2 of these patients, relapse occurred exclusively in the treated nodules, whereas in the other 3 patients, relapse occurred in the treated nodules as well as at distant sites. 9 patients are alive and disease free. Pneumothorax requiring pleural drainage was the main complication, observed in 16% of the treatment sessions. Lung RFA has shown itself to be a safe and feasible option in the treatment of lung neoplasms in patients otherwise ineligible for surgery. The high rate of complete responses obtained in our study (92%) suggests that further investigation of lung RFA, combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy is warranted with the objective of improving local disease control and survival rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A phylogenetic comparison between acute monocytic leukemia cells and monocytes-macrophages in lower vertebrates.

In humans, monocytes and macrophages (Mphi) play a central role in immune regulation, tissue maintenance and pathogen control. In lower vertebrates, a few studies have been conducted on Mphi like cells. In acute monocytic leukemia monocytic cells, as immature cells restrained in one of the phases of their ontogenesis, would offer the opportunity to rebuild an archaic condition helpful to understand the phylogenesis. Therefore, aim of this work was to characterize in the Rainbow trout (Salmo Gairdneri Richardson) Mphi and compare them with acute leukemia monocytic cells. In the trout, Mphi's morphology is similar to that of mammals. In particular, Mphi possess an irregular embryoshaped nucleus occupying 2/3 of the cell, while the peripheral cytoplasmic profile is irregular with extroflexed plasmalemma and pseudopods. A morphological transition towards Mphi is featured by a wavy hyaline classical membrane and an irregular and extroflexed surface. Some aspects of erythrophagocytosis represented a finding of great interest indicating that the hemocatheretic function could take place directly in circulation. This condition, also observed in human acute monocytic leukemia, suggests that the information to the erythrophagocytosis is restrained under physiological conditions. Non-specific esterases, which are positive in human Mphi smear and Mphi from human lymph node tissue, were also positive in the teleost studied but with a dysomogeneous pattern. Consequently non-specific esterase system is phylogenetically conserved. A lack of immune-reactivity with the anti-CD68 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) on smear and trout tissue sections was observed. On the contrary, strong positivity was detected on human lymph node sections. In trout, the presence of Mphi and circulating Mphi like cells exhibiting an erythrocatheretic function in the circulation would indicate a primordial function that has later been replaced by the liver and the spleen.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Hypoxic stop-flow perfusion with mitomycin-C in the treatment of multifocal liver metastases. Usefulness of a vascular arterial stent to prevent iatrogenic lesions of the hepatic arterial wall.

13 patients affected by multifocal and/or large liver metastases from various solid tumors have been treated with stop-flow liver perfusion, to evaluate the safety and feasibility of hypoxic loco-regional infusion with Mitomycin C. The treatment was based on the hypoxic effect due to stop-flow, potentiating the cytotoxic activity of Mitomycin C, combined with the ischemic damage caused by the embolization of the vascular supply to the tumor. The schedule consisted in blocking arterial flow by an angiographic occlusion balloon catheter inflated in the hepatic artery, with previous placement of a vascular stent in order to prevent iatrogenic arterial lesions, and followed by the intraarterial administration of Mitomycin C; finally, arterial hepatic embolization was performed by a gelatine sponge. The study is ongoing with a median follow up of 8 months (range 2-12). Partial response was observed in 1/13 patients (8%), stable disease in 8/13 patients (61%), while progressive disease occurred in 4/13 patients (31%). Nine patients are still alive, and four patients died for hepatic progressive disease, three of them heavily pre-treated with multiple lines of chemotherapy for advanced disease. Toxicity was mild; main side effects were anaemia and thrombocytopenia(Grade 3 both in 1/15 treatments), while fever, nausea and vomiting and upper abdominal pain were short-lasting and easily manageable. No iatrogenic lesion of the hepatic arterial wall occurred. These preliminary data, although the small number of patients and the short follow up, show that the procedure is safe and feasible, with a interesting percentage of clinical responses. In addition, the placement of an arterial stent have demonstrated to protect vascular wall ensuring a regular blood flow, so allowing to perform repeated treatments in responsive patients. The good tolerability of this therapeutic modality suggests further investigation in order to determine its efficacy even in combination with systemic chemotherapy and other locoregional treatments such as termoablative procedures and/or intraarterial antiblastic perfusions in patients affected by metastatic liver disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

mdm2-p53 Interaction: lack of correlation with the response to 5-fluorouracil in advanced colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relevance of mdm2 and p53 primary tumour expression to the clinical outcome of a consecutive series of advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with a 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. METHODS: The expression of p53 and mdm2 was analyzed by an immunohistochemical assay in 80 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded primary tumour samples and related to the clinical response to 5-fluorouracil therapy and to the prognosis of the patients. In a subgroup of 46 tumours, the apoptotic index (AI) as determined by the Tunel technique was also assessed. RESULTS: Nuclear immunostaining of p53 and mdm2 was present in 42 and 30% of the cases, respectively. No correlation was demonstrated between p53 and mdm2 expression (rs = -0.01; p > 0.05). With regard to the clinical outcome, no statistical association was demonstrated among p53 and mdm2 expression, AI, probability of clinical response to treatment, time to progression, or overall survival. The subgroup of patients with a p53-negative/mdm2-positive tumour showed a worse response rate (15%); however, mdm2-positive/AI-negative tumours showed a 0% (0/7) probability of a clinical response as compared with 30% (9/30) of the remaining tumour patient subgroups; this also translated in a significantly worse overall survival probability (p = 0.01 by log rank). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of mdm2 expression does not add significant clinical information in colorectal cancers with a different p53 status. Conversely, further analysis of AI seems to give data of a promising prognostic-predictive value.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Failure of primary breast cancer neoangiogenesis to predict pattern of distant metastasis.

In the present study, the primary tumor neoangiogenesis characteristics of 81 stage IV previously untreated breast cancers with synchronous metastasis to different distant sites (10 patients with soft tissue metastases, 31 with bone metastases, and 40 with visceral metastases) were analyzed. The primary intratumor microvessel density was assessed by immunohistochemical assay on paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples, using a monoclonal anti-CD34 antibody. The mean primary intratumor microvessel density (at 400x fields) was 78 +/- 39 (SD) microvessels per field. The microvessel density was not significantly related to the main clinical/pathological features of the tumor (age, cytohistological grade, DNA ploidy, diameter, and receptor status). The percentage of tumor cases with high primary intratumor microvessel density (cut-off median value of the series 73 +/- 39 microvessels/field) did not significantly differ in patients with bone, soft tissue, or visceral metastatic disease. Analysis of clinical outcome showed a significantly shorter time to progression and overall survival for patients with visceral metastases (P<0.001 and P<0.0002 by log-rank, respectively). Presence of visceral metastases was confirmed to be the only independent prognostic factor related to a worse TTP (hazard risk 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.14-4.03, P<0.02) and overall survival (hazard risk 1.81, 95% confidence interval 0.98-3.35, P<0.06) by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the assessment of neoangiogenesis of primary breast cancer by CD34 expression does not provide information predictive of different distant sites of metastasis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Angiogenesis and angiogenesis inhibitors: a new potential anticancer therapeutic strategy.

Tumor cells cannot grow as a mass above 2 to 3 mm3 because diffusion is insufficient for oxygen and glucose requirements, unless the tumor induces a blood supply. This mechanism of induction of a new blood supply from pre-existing vascular bed is called angiogenesis. Furthermore, tumor invasiveness and metastasis require neovascularization. In fact, recent published studies suggest that acquisition of the angiogenic phenotype is a common pathway for tumor progression and neovascularization is linked with other molecular steps leading to tumor progression. Angiogenic process is a complex multi-step cascade under the control of positive and negative soluble factors. A paracrine interaction occurs between tumor and endothelial cells. Angiogenesis involves: endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tubule formation with associated changes in the extra-cellular matrix, allowing subsequent new vessel growth toward the tumor. Each of the above steps may represent a target for antiangiogenic therapy. Antiangiogenesis is to be distinguished from direct targeting and destruction of tumor vasculature (vascular targeting). Inhibition of angiogenesis represents one of the more promising, new approaches, to anticancer treatment and its already in early clinical trials. This review takes into consideration: (i) the biological mechanism underlining angiogenesis process; (ii) the method to assess tumor angiogenesis activity; (iii) inhibition of angiogenesis as an anticancer therapy; (iv) the methodology for the clinical development of angiogenesis inhibitors, that should be considered biological response modifiers; (v) some angiogenesis antagonists that are in development and leader compounds that are under clinical trial.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗

PubMed2001

[Biological-clinical significance of angiogenesis and mast cell infiltration in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity].

There are little data on the biological and prognostic role of neoangiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (SCCOC). In particular, the role mast cells--reservoirs of angiogenetic peptides--play in neovascularization is not clear. In this work 50 cases of SCCOC T1-3 N0-1 M0 were studied, examining the microvasal density (MVD), mast cell density (MCD), relationship between these two parameters and their relationship with the pathological clinical features. Microvessels were identified with an immunohistochemical method using pan-endothelial anti-CD34 antibody while a histochemical method was used to label the mast cells with toluidine blue on adjacent sections for each tumor sample. MVD and MCD were characterized using an image analyzer. The mean MVD was 30 +/- 17 s.d. per sample while the average MCD was 8 +/- 6 s.d. per sample. Statistical analysis comparing MVD and MCD using the Pearson method showed a direct, significant correlation between the two variables (correlation coefficient = 0.496; p = 0.000). When the carcinomas were divided into subgroups with high and low MVD and MCD--using the median counts (27 and 7 respectively) as cutoff point--no association was found with the main clinical pathological features (age, sex, tumor diameter, lymph node status, cytopathological grading). As regards the correlation with prognosis, after an median 020 months of follow-up, the subgroup of patients with tumors with high MVD presented a better overall survival at 18 months from diagnosis than did the subgroup with tumors with a lower degree of vascularization (70% vs. 45%; p = 0.049 log rank test). The data obtained suggest that mast cells play an active role in angiogenetic processes in SCCOC and indicate that MVD is a favorable prognostic factor for SCCOC patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed2000

A unique case of eccrine porocarcinoma with pulmonary lymphangitis and pericardial involvement: biological characterization and clinical aggressiveness.

A unique case of eccrine porocarcinoma with pulmonary lymphangitis and pericardial involvement is reported. The clinical course was aggressive, leading to the death of the patient a few months after diagnosis. Certain pathologial markers of clinical aggressiveness were retrospectively investigated: p53 and Ki-67 expression were determined by means of immunohistochemistry. Angiogenesis was assessed by determination of intratumor microvessel density at the vascular 'hot spot' with the anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody and quantitative analysis using computerized image analyzer. Both primary tumor and metastatic lymph node presented immunostaining for p53 and Ki-67, with a higher degree of vascularization in the secondary lesions compared to the primary tumor. Our findings suggest a correlation between tumor vascularization and clinicopathological parameters of aggressiveness in malignant eccrine porocarcinoma. Taking into account the disappointing results of current treatments for metastatic eccrine porocarcinoma, the assay of microvessel density may be helpful in selecting the patients of high risk for recurrence or death who may benefit of anti-angiogenic therapies.

Acrospiroma↗

PubMed1998

Prognostic significance of p53, angiogenesis, and other conventional features in operable breast cancer: subanalysis in node-positive and node-negative patients.

To validate the prognostic value of the determination of p53 expression, intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) (a measure of angiogenesis), and the conventional features, we studied 531 patients operated of breast cancer (271 node-positive and 260 node-negative), with a median follow-up exceeding 6 years. IMD was assessed by using the anti-CD31 antibody to identify the microvessels. p53, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were determined by immunocytochemistry using the antibodies PAb1801, H-222 Sp2y and KD-68, respectively. The prognostic value of the markers was analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. In the overall series p53 expression, IMD, nodal status, ER and PgR were statistically significant prognostic indicators for both relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in the final multivariate model. Likewise, tumor size and menopausal status were significant prognostic indicators for RFS and OS, respectively. In the subgroup of node-negative patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy only p53, IMD, and tumor size were statistically significant in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, IMD, the number of involved nodes and PgR were statistically significant in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen, IMD and ER (and the number of involved nodes, only for OS) were statistically significant for both RFS and OS in the final multivariate model. Different markers played a diverse prognostic role in the diverse subgroups studied. Angiogenesis was the sole marker which retained prognostic value in all the sub-groups analyzed. p53 retained significance only in the subgroup of node-negative patients, whilst ER and PgR were statistically significant in the subgroups of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant hormone therapy or chemotherapy, respectively.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Vascular integrin alpha(v)beta3: a new prognostic indicator in breast cancer.

Blood vessel density is a prognostic indicator of multiple tumor types. Recently, it has been established that tumor-associated blood vessels express elevated levels of integrin alpha(v)beta3. In fact, there is evidence that integrin alpha(v)beta3 identifies the most proliferative endothelial cells within human breast carcinomas. Therefore, we evaluated breast cancer tissue in terms of both blood vessel density and alpha(v)beta3 expression. We found that the antibody LM609 to integrin alpha(v)beta3 preferentially stains the blood vessels of small caliber. Furthermore, comparative studies between LM609 and anti-CD31 antibodies on normal breast indicate that very low and weak expression of integrin alpha(v)beta3 was found on vessels within normal tissue, whereas CD31 antigen was expressed in almost all vasculature. Indeed, expression of integrin alpha(v)beta3 was significantly higher in tumors of patients with metastasis than in those without metastasis. In a series of 197 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer and long follow-up, vascular expression of integrin alpha(v)beta3 in tumor vascular "hot spots" was found to be the most significant prognostic factor predictive of relapse-free survival in both node-negative and node-positive patients. These findings support the contention that angiogenesis plays a critical role in breast cancer progression and suggest that integrin alpha(v)beta3 is an endothelial cell marker with significant prognostic value and potential usefulness as a target for specific antiangiogenic therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Effects of isradipine sustained release on platelet function and fibrinolysis in essential hypertensives with or without other risk factors.

The aim of this study was to assess the chronic effects of a highly selective dihydropiridine calcium channel blocker, israpidine, in its sustained release form (I-SRO), on platelet functions and fibrinolytic parameters in subjects with essential hypertension (EH) combined or not with other well-known cardiovascular risk factors, such as cigarette smoking (EH+S) and type II diabetes mellitus (EH+DM). Thirty-six patients with essential hypertension with sitting diastolic blood pressures of 96-104 mmHg without (EH, n = 12) or with other risk factors (EH+S, n = 12, EH+DM, n = 12) were enrolled. After a 4-week, single-blind, placebo run-in period, the subjects received I-SRO 5 mg once daily for 18 weeks. After both placebo and 6 and 18 weeks of I-SRO treatment, the following parameters were measured: sitting blood pressure by mercury sphygmomanometer; platelet aggregation, plasma beta-thromboglobulin (BTG), platelet factor-4 (PF4), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) by means of ELISA methods; and euglobulin lysis time before (ELT) and after standardized (10 min) venous occlusion (ELT-VO). In the group of patients as a whole compared with placebo, I-SRO significantly reduced SBP/DBP platelet aggregation, BTG, PF4, ELT, and ELT-VO. Significant reductions in these parameters were also observed in each group. In addition to the antihypertensive effect, I-SRO chronic treatment may favorably affect the platelet function and fibrinolytic system in essential hypertension with or without other cardiovascular risk factors.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

PubMed1996

Effects of benazepril and nicardipine on microalbuminuria in normotensive and hypertensive patients with diabetes.

Diabetic nephropathy is the most frequent cause of chronic renal failure. The onset of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus, which seems to be related to blood pressure and the control of glycemia, is predictive of the development of true proteinuria. This multicenter, single-blind, randomized study examined the effects of benazepril and nicardipine on overnight microalbuminuria in 57 normotensive and 46 hypertensive diabetic patients. At the end of a 3-month placebo run-in period, the patients were stratified on the basis of the presence or absence of arterial hypertension and, within each stratum, randomized to receive one daily tablet of 10 mg benazepril or one tablet of 20 mg nicardipine twice daily for 6 months. Renal hemodynamics was investigated in 25 patients. Both drugs decreased overnight microalbuminuria throughout the study period, but benazepril was more effective than nicardipine (p = 0.025); in the patients with hypertension, both drugs led to a similar marked reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This study shows that benazepril was more effective than nicardipine in reducing overnight microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus, independently of their antihypertensive properties.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane as an in vivo wound healing model.

The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was used as an in vivo wound healing model. A full excision of a 1 mm2 CAM area was filled by a granulation tissue after 96-120 h, which eventually formed a scar in 75% of the cases. In the remaining 25%, a solution of continuity was left which, however, was smaller in size than the one observed immediately after the excision. Under the microscope, the CAM area involved in the repair process showed: i. hyperplasia of the chorionic epithelium; ii. about three times as many microvessels and fibroblasts in the mesenchyme as in the normal adjacent control regions; iii. an inflammatory infiltrate mostly consisting of macrophages; and iv. a strong positivity for fibronectin in the extracellular matrix. The validity of this experimental model appears to be confirmed by the fact that we were able to reproduce all the critical events controlling the wound healing process, such as re-epithelization, angiogenesis, formation of an inflammatory infiltrate and deposition of one of the main constituents of the extracellular matrix, such as fibronectin.

Allantois↗

PubMed1994

Effects of lisinopril and amlodipine on microalbuminuria and renal function in patients with hypertension.

Many patients with arterial hypertension have abnormal urinary excretion levels of albumin. This study was aimed at examining the effects of lisinopril and amlodipine on urinary excretion of albumin and kidney function. Thirty-six previously untreated patients with essential arterial hypertension were divided randomly into two groups. The first group received lisinopril 20 mg daily for 12 weeks followed by 10 mg amlodipine daily for another 12 weeks. The second group received 10 mg amlodipine daily for 12 weeks followed by 20 mg lisinopril daily for another 12 weeks. The arterial pressure decreased in a similar way with both therapies in both groups. In both groups urinary albumin excretion decreased in patients receiving lisinopril (p < 0.01). No significant changes were observed with amlodipine. This study shows that lisinopril, but not amlodipine, is able to reduce urinary excretion of albumin in patients with essential hypertension independently of its effective antihypertensive properties. It is probable that the positive effect of lisinopril on microalbuminuria is attributable to the modifications in intrarenal hemodynamics or to a change in glomerular permeability.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and antihypertensive treatment: focus on ACE inhibitors.

The use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in clinical studies offers some advantages in comparison to the clinic blood pressure measurement. In fact, this approach does not induce any alerting reaction and provides 24-h blood pressure values that are more reproducible and not affected by the placebo effect. This allows a better evaluation of blood pressure under antihypertensive treatment and an optimization of the number of patients to be studied in pharmacologic trials. In a recent double-blind, parallel-group study, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was used to investigate the antihypertensive efficacy of a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, trandolapril, in 62 mild and moderate hypertensive patients. After a washout period, patients received trandolapril, 2 mg o.d., or placebo for 6 weeks, followed by a second washout period. Clinic and 24-h blood pressures were assessed at the end of each period. In comparing the pre- and post-treatment period, trandolapril significantly reduced clinic and 24-h systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The fall was evident throughout the 24 h and was statistically significant also in the last 4 h of blood pressure monitoring. The placebo group did not show any significant blood pressure change. Thus, trandolapril, 2 mg once daily, is effective in reducing blood pressure. Its efficacy over 24 h is better documented by 24-h blood pressure monitoring than by isolated clinic blood pressure measurement.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1994

Bone marrow angiogenesis and progression in multiple myeloma.

Tumour growth is angiogenesis-dependent. We found a high correlation between the extent of bone marrow angiogenesis, evaluated as microvessel area, and the proliferating (S-phase) fraction of marrow plasma cells, evaluated as labelling index (LI), in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and in those with monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS). Angiogenesis itself was significantly associated with active as opposed to non-active MM and MGUS. The highest microvessel area accompanied rapidly progressive MM with the highest LI. When a cut-off value of 2% or greater of the microvessel area was used, most patients with active MM were classified correctly. The risk of active disease in patients with MM increased in parallel with the microvessel area. A causal relationship between plasma cell growth, activity phase in MM and marrow angiogenesis is suggested. Since angiogenesis proceeds in step with the enlargement of plasma cell tumours and the activity phase in MM, its measurement could be a useful prognostic marker in patients with plasma cell proliferative disorders.

Aged↗