Endogenous stimulators and inhibitors of angiogenesis in gastrointestinal cancers: basic science to clinical application.
Progression of cancer is dependent on acquisition of vascular networks within the tumor. Tumor angiogenesis is dependent on up-regulation of angiogenesis stimulators to overcome the endogenous anti-angiogenic barrier. Such disruption of angiogenesis balance to favor neovascularization is a key step for progression of tumor growth and metastasis. In this regard, the vascular basement membrane and the extracellular matrix have been found to be rich sources of angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors that become bioavailable on proteolysis of the matrix by tumor microenvironment-related enzymes. In this review the subgroup of endogenous angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors is discussed, and their mechanism of action during tumor angiogenesis is evaluated. The role in regulating tumor growth and the possibility of using them as prognostic markers for human gastrointestinal cancers is discussed. Furthermore, we specifically address the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in human gastrointestinal cancers and discuss the development and use of bevacizumab (Avastin; anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody [Genentech, CA]) in the treatment of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers.
Sund
Malin
M
Center for Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, USA.
Zeisberg
Michael
M
Kalluri
Raghu
R
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab