Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) is involved in different stages of haematopoiesis, inducing stem cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting that its dysregulation can result in haematological malignancies. Its level significally increased in CML patients. The aim was to evaluate clinical significance of FGF2 in CML patients.

Subjects and methods: 20 newly diagnosed CML patients and 20 apparently healthy sex and age matched subjects considered as a control group were included. Conventional karyotyping for detection of Philadelphia chromosome, Quantitatine real time PCR for detection of BCR – ABL fusion gene at time of diagnosis and after 3 months of treatment and measurement of serum FGF2 by ELISA were performed.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase in serum FGF2 level among CML patients group compared to control group. About 25% of CML patients was treated with Imatinib only and 75% treated with both hydra and Imatinib. About 15% of patient were not responded to treatment. No difference between CML patients treated with hydra and Imatinib and patients treated with imatinib only regarding FGF2 level. However, there was a statistically significant increase in median FGF2 level among resistant patients compared to non-resistant one. FGF2 at cut off >83.8 ng/ml had sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 94.1% and accuracy 90% in prediction of response to treatment among the patients group. FGF2 less than 83.8 ng/mL significantly increase opportunity of optimal response of CML patients to treatment by 32 folds.

Conclusion: Our data suggest an important biological role of FGF2 in pathogenesis and prognosis of CML.