Angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis in neuroblastoma.
Angiogenesis is a biological process by which new capillaries are formed from pre-existing vessels. It occurs in physiological and pathological conditions, such as tumours, where a specific critical turning point is the transition from the avascular to the vascular phase. Tumour angiogenesis depends mainly on the release by neoplastic cells of growth factors specific for endothelial cells that able to stimulate the growth of the host's blood vessels. This review summarises the literature concerning the relationship between angiogenesis and progression in human neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumour of infancy and childhood. It is becoming increasingly evident that agents which interfere with blood vessel formation also block tumour progression. Accordingly, anti-angiogenic tumour therapy has gained much interest in preclinical and clinical assessments. The recent applications of anti-angiogenic agents which interfere or block neuroblastoma progression are reviewed.
Ribatti
D
D
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy. ribatti@anatomia.uniba.it
Vacca
A
A
Nico
B
B
De Falco
G
G
Giuseppe Montaldo
P
P
Ponzoni
M
M
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000098:blood supply*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D016023:Integrins; D008222:Lymphokines; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases