Angiogenesis and multiple myeloma: Exploring prognostic potential of adrenomedullin.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide which under basal conditions mainly regulates vasodilation and maintains vascular integrity but is also implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). It has been shown that adrenomedullin is expressed by human myeloma cell lines and that it enhances MM-driven angiogenesis. However, the clinical impact of AM remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On that basis, we enrolled 32 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients (NDMM) and studied the potential of AM as a prognostic biomarker. RESULTS: We report that elevated levels of AM trend with suboptimal treatment response and inferior survival of NDMM patients.