Pro-angiogenic cytokines and their role in tumor angiogenesis.
The development of solid tumors depends upon an adequate supply of blood. This can be achieved by way of co-option of preexisting blood vessels and by the induction of angiogenesis. During the past 30 years, tumor angiogenesis had been found to play a crucial role in the progression of solid tumors. Tumor angiogenesis was found to be induced by a variety of pro-angiogenic cytokines of which the best characterized is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Indeed, the first FDA approved anti-angiogenic drug for the treatment of cancer is Avastin, a neutralizing antibody directed against VEGF. This review focuses on cytokines which have been reported to induce tumor angiogenesis.
Neufeld
Gera
G
Cancer and Vascular Biology Research Center, Rappaport Research Institute in the Medical Sciences, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, 1 Efron St., P. O. Box 9679, Haifa 31096, Israel. gera@tx.technion.ac.il
Kessler
Ofra
O
D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors