Evaluation of the Serum Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major and Sickle/Beta-Thalassemia, and its Correlation with Clinical and Laboratory Parameters

BACKGROUND: The most prevalent inherited disorders of red blood cells are hemoglobinopathies, with thalassemia and sickle cell diseases (SCDs) being the most common. In SCD and thalassemia major, angiogenesis has been identified as a substantial contributor to vascular-mediated tissue damage. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the master regulator of angiogenesis. This study aims to assess the circulating level of serum VEGF in beta-thalassemia (β-thal) and sickle β-thal patients and also to explore the correlation with clinical and laboratory data. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 80 individuals, clinical data were gathered, complete blood count, serum ferritin, and serum VEGF tests were done. RESULTS: Patients' age ranged from 1.5 to 17.5 years, males formed (70%). Platelet count was significantly higher in β-thal compared to sickle/β-thal (S/β-thal) patients, with a P = 0.015. Mean serum ferritin in patients was significantly higher in β-thal compared to S/β-thal patients, P < 0.001. Patients' serum VEGF levels were noticeably higher than controls with P = 0.01. Strong positive correlation of serum VEGF with platelet count among the patients (r = 0.603, P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between serum VEGF and the age of starting chelation therapy in thalassemic patients (r = 0.475, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients compared to healthy controls, and there is a significant positive correlation between serum VEGF levels and the age at which iron chelation therapy was initiated as well as between serum VEGF levels and platelet counts in patients.