Bioimmunotherapeutic targets on angiogenetic blood vessels in solid malignangies.
Physiological angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process that occurs mainly during reproduction, development and wound healing. Although angiogenesis is a continuous process, different consecutive steps can be identified, including: i) release of pro-angiogenetic factors; ii) release of proteolytic enzymes; iii) endothelial cell migration, morphogenesis and proliferation. Angiogenesis is also a hallmark of malignant diseases, and an inverse correlation between tumor vascularity and survival was demonstrated. Thus, strategies aimed at interfering with tumor blood supply by targeting tumor vasculature, presently represent promising new approaches for the treatment of solid malignancies. In fact, at least 30 angiogenetic inhibitors, utilized alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, are currently being tested in clinical trials in humans. In this paper, we will review current knowledges on selected molecules expressed by endothelial cells and involved in distinct steps of the angiogenetic process, that represent potential targets for bioimmunotherapeutic approaches in human malignancies.
Maio
M
M
Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 33081 Aviano, Italy. mmaio@cro.it
Altomonte
M
M
Calabro
L
L
Fonsatti
E
E
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000071063:Endoglin; D043169:Endostatins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D043169:Endostatins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D003094:Collagen; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor