title: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway: a therapeutic target in patients with hematologic malignancies.
abstract: Angiogenesis is an important component in the progression and metastasis of solid tumors. We now appreciate that angiogenesis is also critically involved in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. Current data suggest important prognostic and therapeutic implications of angiogenesis in a variety of malignancies of the hematopoietic system, including acute and chronic leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and Hodgkin's disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major angiogenic factor that regulates multiple endothelial cell functions, including mitogenesis. Cellular and circulating levels of VEGF are elevated in hematologic malignancies and are adversely associated with prognosis. Angiogenesis is a very complex, tightly regulated, multistep process, the targeting of which may well prove useful in the creation of novel therapeutic agents. Current approaches being investigated include the inhibition of angiogenesis stimulants (e.g., VEGF), or their receptors, blockade of endothelial cell activation, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and inhibition of tumor vasculature. Preclinical, phase I, and phase II studies of both monoclonal antibodies to VEGF and blockers of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase pathway indicate that these agents are safe and offer potential clinical utility in patients with hematologic malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Leukemia, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. fgiles@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Giles
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000187:drug effects; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000187:drug effects; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D008222:Lymphokines; D011758:Pyrroles; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C116890:Semaxinib; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases