The role of angiogenesis in solid tumours: an overview.
Angiogenesis is the physiological process of the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Multiple molecules regulate angiogenesis, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins, the fibroblast growth factor, the platelet-derived growth factor and the transforming growth factor-beta. Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth, progression and metastasis of a tumour. Inhibiting the angiogenic process or targeting existing tumour vessels can be used for treatment of tumours as an alternative or in parallel with conventional chemotherapy. Many anti-angiogenic factors are under investigation and some are already being used in clinical practice with various results.
Makrilia
Nektaria
N
3rd Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens School of Medicine, Greece. makmacs@hotmail.com
Lappa
Theodora
T
Xyla
Vassilia
V
Nikolaidis
Ilias
I
Syrigos
Kostas
K
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors