VEGF and bFGF gene polymorphisms in Polish patients with B-CLL

Among a variety of angiogenic factors involved in the B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were identified. Their levels have been regarded as prognostic markers of the progression of disease. The objective of the present study was to assess whether polymorphisms located within the genes coding for these key angiogenic activators contribute to disease susceptibility and/or progression in patients with B-CLL. For this purpose, 180 individuals were investigated, including 68 B-CLL patients and 112 healthy controls. All individuals were typed for the VEGF (936 C > T) and bFGF (-921 C > G) alleles using PCR-RFLP technique. Only a slight prevalence of the VEGF T variant was observed among patients as compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.095) with a significant difference when high risk (stage III/IV) patients were considered (OR = 3.81, p = 0.045). No other significant association was observed between the VEGF polymorphism and progression of the disease. The VEGF alleles and genotypes segregated similarly in patients with different stage of the disease according to Rai classification. No significant relationships were also observed for the bFGF polymorphism with either susceptibility to B-CLL (when compared to control group) or progression of the disease. These results suggest the possible association of the VEGF polymorphism with high risk B-CLL.