Fig. 5
Associations of VEGF and cell-free plasma DNA with TF PCA expression and systemic coagulation activation. a Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antigen levels were measured in plasma or PBMC culture supernatants by ELISA. b Based on VEGF antigen levels in culture supernatants, AML patients were grouped into those with (>40 pg/mL) and those without (≤40 pg/mL) appreciable VEGF production. No significant differences were found with regard to TF PCA levels in intact or disrupted PBMCs. c Levels of cell-free plasma DNA were quantified in patients and controls as described under the section “Methods”. Plasma for DNA quantification was not available from four patients with AML. d Based on levels of cell-free plasma DNA, patients were grouped into those with DNA levels greater or equal or less than the cut-off value of 110 ng/mL defined by the 95th percentile within the control group. e In a modified analysis, the seven AML patients with DIC and TF PCA levels of intact PBMCs exceeding 2,500 AU/106 cells were excluded. P values are according to Mann–Whitney U test.