Erythropoietin and tumor angiogenesis.
Erythropoietin (Epo) may be considered as an endogenous stimulator of vessel growth during tumor progression through an autocrine and/or paracrine loop. The vascular effects of Epo would be relevant in tumor angiogenesis and the negative effect of Epo on tumor growth may be aggravated by its angiogenic activity. The mechanism of tumor growth in the context of Epo is not completely clarified, and it is still not clear whether there is a direct effect of Epo in tumor cells as opposed to exogenous effect on angiogenesis. It is also possible that the effect of Epo is multifactorial depending on the type of tumor and level of functionality of Epo receptor expression in tumor cells, as well other variables such as hypoxic stress, degree of anemia, chemotherapy, radiotherapy of surgical intervention.
Ribatti
Domenico
D
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy. ribatti@anatomia.uniba.it
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D008565:Membrane Proteins; C098069:PIGF protein, human; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004921:Erythropoietin