Klin Onkol 2006; 19(4): 212-216.
Summary
After decades of observation that angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor progression, inhibitors of angiogenesis are becoming a part of therapy of malignant diseases. One of the first tested angiostatic substances is bevacizumab (Avastin), an antibody against VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF, one of the most important initiators of angiogenesis, is produced by tumor cells, and induces vascularization of the tumor via endothelial cells of the tumor tissue and endothelial precursor cells from the bone marrow. An effort to find suitable prognostic and predictive markers for the antiangiogenic therapy monitoring is focusing also on VEGF in circulation, or on presence of circulating endothelial cells in peripheral blood. In this study we summarize recent knowledge on angiogenesis in the malignant process, with special regard to VEGF, its characteristics, and possibilities of its determination predominantly in blood in connection with antiangiogenic therapy.
