New vessel formation and aberrant VEGF/VEGFR signaling in acute leukemia: does it matter?
Although many patients with acute leukemia achieve a hematological complete remission with aggressive intensive therapy protocols, a large proportion shows reoccurrence of disease. Novel strategies are warranted. In acute leukemia new vessel formation is observed. New vessel formation is the result of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The degree of neovascularization in the bone marrow is correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the leukemic cells. The present review discusses the impact of new vessel formation related to acute leukemia, the relation with various angiogenic factors and will focus on VEGF/VEGF receptor signaling.
de Bont
E S J M
ES
Division of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Hospital Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. e.de.bont@bkk.azg.nl
Neefjes
V M E
VM
Rosati
S
S
Vellenga
E
E
Kamps
W A
WA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor