Vegf as a promising biomarker in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a rare and complex autoimmune disease characterized by widespread blood vessel damage, abnormal immune system activation, and excessive connective tissue fibrosis. These dysfunctions lead to severe complications affecting multiple organs, including the skin, lungs, heart, and kidneys.  

Angiogenesis, a key process that facilitates the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, plays a central role in this pathology. This mechanism is often impaired in systemic sclerosis, resulting in inefficient vascularization and exacerbating tissue damage.  

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a crucial cytokine regulating angiogenesis, has attracted significant attention as a potential biomarker. Abnormally high VEGF levels in systemic sclerosis suggest its involvement in disease progression, making it a promising target for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.  

VEGF: a key marker in systemic sclerosis?  

This study investigates circulating VEGF levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and their association with clinical manifestations. Key findings include:

• Patients with systemic sclerosis exhibit significantly higher VEGF concentrations compared to healthy individuals.
• A correlation was observed between VEGF levels and the severity of clinical manifestations, particularly digital ulcers, capillary abnormalities, and skin fibrosis.
• Although VEGF generally promotes angiogenesis, in this specific context, it appears to contribute to inefficient and disorganized vascularization, exacerbating existing vascular abnormalities.

When VEGF becomes a compass for systemic sclerosis  

The results suggest that VEGF could serve as a useful biomarker not only for assessing the activity of systemic sclerosis but also for predicting its clinical progression. Its central role in the disease's pathophysiology also makes it an especially promising target for developing new therapeutic strategies. These approaches would aim to restore functional vascularization while correcting existing abnormalities.  

These discoveries pave the way for innovative targeted treatments that could address vascular abnormalities and slow the progression of this debilitating disease, thereby improving patients' quality of life.