Tumor angiogenesis and novel antiangiogenic strategies

Abstract

Angiogenesis is essential for the development and growth of tumors. It is a highly regulated process that requires cross‐talk between signaling pathways at all stages of blood vessel development and tumor growth, from the recruitment of endothelial cells to vessel maturation. This review summarizes tumor angiogenesis and describes the key signaling pathways governing blood vessel development. The role of angiogenesis in various tumor types is discussed, but the focus is on invasive breast cancer, a disease that will affect ∼182,000 women in the USA in 2008. Research efforts over the past decade have identified numerous potential, as well as proven therapies with activity in breast cancer. These include chemotherapeutics as well as therapies that inhibit specific angiogenic pathways known as targeted agents. Some of the data from single‐ and multitargeted antiangiogenic agents are described in this review. “Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work, and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.”

Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor/p38/Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α Is Pivotal for Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis of Malignantly Transformed Cells Induced by Hexavalent Chromium

“…Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly expressed in many cancers, and their up-regulations are associated with invasive tumor growth and poor prognosis (15)(16)(17). MMP-1, a zinc-dependent matrix metalloprotease, is an interstitial collagenase.…”

Correlation of Microvessel Density with Nuclear Pleomorphism, Mitotic Count and Vascular Invasion in Breast and Prostate Cancers at Preclinical and Clinical Levels

“…This will cause the appearance of poorly differentiated cells on one hand and will increase metastasis and invasive potential of the tumor cells on the other hand. This results in increased malignancy rate of cancerous cells (Kerbel, 2008;Zerbini et al, 2008;Gordon et al, 2010).…”

Regulation of Apoptosis, Invasion and Angiogenesis of Tumor Cells by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester

“…The angiogenic cascade during tumor development consists of the release of angiogenic factors, binding of angiogenic factors to receptors on endothelial cells (ECs), EC activation, degradation of the basement membrane by proteases, and migration and proliferation of ECs. Adhesion molecules then help to pull the sprouting blood vessels forward, and ECs are finally organized into a network of new blood vessels [86].…”