Brain angiogenesis in developmental and pathological processes: mechanism and therapeutic intervention in brain tumors.
Formation of new blood vessels is required for the growth and metastasis of all solid tumors. New blood vessels are established in tumors mainly through angiogenesis. Brain tumors in particular are highly angiogenic. Therefore, interventions designed to prevent angiogenesis may be effective at controlling brain tumors. Indeed, many recent findings from preclinical and clinical studies of antiangiogenic therapy for brain tumors have shown that it is a promising approach to managing this deadly disease, especially when combined with other cytotoxic treatments. In this minireview, we summarize the basic characteristics of brain tumor angiogenesis and the role of known angiogenic factors in regulating this angiogenesis, which may be targets of antiangiogenic therapy. We also discuss the current status of antiangiogenic therapy for brain tumors, the suggested mechanisms of this therapy and the limitations of this strategy.
Kim
Woo-Young
WY
Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Lee
Ho-Young
HY
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors