title: Antiangiogenesis for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Angiogenesis, i.e., the induction of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, is a crucial event in the formation and maintenance of the pannus in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The arthritis is characterized by destruction of peripheral joints in which the cartilage and bone are destroyed by proliferative synovitis. This is characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells and formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis occurs since the early stage of the disease, and supports progression of the arthritis. It has been demonstrated in animal models of arthritis that inhibition of angiogenesis reduces of the arthritis. This suggests that pharmacological inhibition of angiogenesis may play an important role in the treatment of RA. In particular, disruption of new blood vessels can not only prevent delivery of nutrients to the inflammatory site, but can also lead to vessel regression, hence reversal of disease. To sum up, since angiogenesis is central in maintaining of synovitis in RA, antiangiogenesis probably represents a therapeutic tool. This view is supported by recent studies in animal models of arthritis where antiangiogenic drugs deliver a therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, I-70124 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Roccaro
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cirulli
authors.forename: Guilia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dammacco
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2