title: Angiogenesis factors in gliomas: a new key to tumour therapy?
abstract: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is required for the growth and expansion of tumours. Gliomas, the most common brain tumours, are particularly highly vascularized and, therefore, serve as a model to elucidate the process of tumour angiogenesis and to investigate new anti-angiogenic therapies. This review describes the role of angiogenic factors in glioma angiogenesis and new strategies to inhibit glioma growth by application of anti-angiogenic substances. We focus on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but also examine the role of angiopoietin and pleiotropic factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), pleiotrophin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Strategies to inhibit glioma growth by reducing the action of angiogenic factors, by the application of anti-angiogenic substances such as angiostatin or endostatin, or inactivation of endothelial cells, are discussed. These new anti-angiogenic therapies appear to have a high potential not only for the treatment of gliomas, but also of other tumours.
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005910:Glioma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors