UM Health-Sparrow researcher explores how certain growth factors affect Castleman disease 

LANSING, Mich. – A group of signaling proteins crucial for the creation and growth of new blood vessels in the body, may drive biological processes in a subtype of Castleman disease, which affects the immune system, according to a new paper written by University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s Gordan Srkalovic, M.D., Ph.D.

Published in the journal Biomedicines, the review utilized global patient data to explore how the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins affect idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease (iMCD) TAFRO. This subtype poses a significant risk of death, highlighting the urgent need to find a cause and ways to treat it.

“If we can diagnose Castleman disease early, we have a greater chance of having a much better outcome,” Srkalovic said. “Because the disease is so rare, our goal is to educate the broader medical community about the disease and possible ways to diagnose it.”

Castleman disease hyperactivates the immune system, enlarging lymph nodes and damaging organs. It affects approximately 4,300 to 5,200 new individuals annually in the U.S. iMCD TAFRO is a severe form of the disease and includes the combination of symptoms like low platelets, swelling from fluid build-up, fever, kidney dysfunction and an enlarged spleen or liver. It is difficult to diagnose and has the poorest prognosis among the subtypes, especially within the first six months.

Researchers say targeting VEGF with approved drugs has shown promise in some patients, but its effectiveness is inconsistent, especially in severe cases.

"Understanding VEGF's role could lead to better diagnostics and treatments," Srkalovic said.

See a full article on his Castleman research at Researchers explore how certain growth factors affect Castleman disease | Michigan Medicine