TY - JOUR
T1 - The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway
T2 - A therapeutic target in patients with hematologic malignancies
AU - Giles, F. J.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Angiogenesis is an important component in the progression and metastasis of solid tumors. We now appreciate that angiogenesis is also critically involved in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. Current data suggest important prognostic and therapeutic implications of angiogenesis in a variety of malignancies of the hematopoietic system, including acute and chronic leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and Hodgkin's disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major angiogenic factor that regulates multiple endothelial cell functions, including mitogenesis. Cellular and circulating levels of VEGF are elevated in hematologic malignancies and are adversely associated with prognosis. Angiogenesis is a very complex, tightly regulated, multistep process, the targeting of which may well prove useful in the creation of novel therapeutic agents. Current approaches being investigated include the inhibition of angiogenesis stimulants (e.g., VEGF), or their receptors, blockade of endothelial cell activation, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and inhibition of tumor vasculature. Preclinical, phase I, and phase II studies of both monoclonal antibodies to VEGF and blockers of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase pathway indicate that these agents are safe and offer potential clinical utility in patients with hematologic malignancies.
AB - Angiogenesis is an important component in the progression and metastasis of solid tumors. We now appreciate that angiogenesis is also critically involved in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies. Current data suggest important prognostic and therapeutic implications of angiogenesis in a variety of malignancies of the hematopoietic system, including acute and chronic leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and Hodgkin's disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major angiogenic factor that regulates multiple endothelial cell functions, including mitogenesis. Cellular and circulating levels of VEGF are elevated in hematologic malignancies and are adversely associated with prognosis. Angiogenesis is a very complex, tightly regulated, multistep process, the targeting of which may well prove useful in the creation of novel therapeutic agents. Current approaches being investigated include the inhibition of angiogenesis stimulants (e.g., VEGF), or their receptors, blockade of endothelial cell activation, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and inhibition of tumor vasculature. Preclinical, phase I, and phase II studies of both monoclonal antibodies to VEGF and blockers of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase pathway indicate that these agents are safe and offer potential clinical utility in patients with hematologic malignancies.
KW - Angiogenesis
KW - Leukemia
KW - Lymphoma
KW - SU5416
KW - VEGF
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035168739&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035168739&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1634/theoncologist.6-suppl_5-32
DO - 10.1634/theoncologist.6-suppl_5-32
M3 - Article
C2 - 11700390
AN - SCOPUS:0035168739
SN - 1083-7159
VL - 6
SP - 32
EP - 39
JO - Oncologist
JF - Oncologist
IS - SUPPL. 5
ER -