Angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Experimental and clinical data indicate that in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor progression is associated with angiogenesis and that an increase in microvascular density is associated with a poor prognosis. This review summarizes the literature concerning the relationship between angiogenesis and progression in HCC. It is becoming increasingly evident that agents which interfere with blood vessel formation also block tumor progression. Accordingly, anti-angiogenic tumor therapy has gained much interest in preclinical and clinical assessments. The recent applications of anti-angiogenic agents which interfere or block HCC progression are reviewed.
Ribatti
Domenico
D
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy. ribatti@anatomia.uniba.it
Vacca
Angelo
A
Nico
Beatrice
B
Sansonno
Domenico
D
Dammacco
Franco
F
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors