Neoangiogenesis and tumor growth

Abstract

The formation and development of new vessels (neoangiogenesis) in the tumor is an urgent problem for oncologists. Angiogenesis is one of the key components of malignant growth pathogenesis. In spite of tumor cells unique ability to cope with hypoxia and nutrients’ deficiency, without blood vessels the tumor loses its ability to grow and metastasize. On the other hand without an effective tumor blood supply network, chemotherapeutic drugs are unable to reach all areas of the tumor at the required concentrations. In recent decades, great success in the study of neoangiogenesis in malignant tumors took place due to novel molecular biological and biochemical methods that have made it possible to identify a number of angiogenesis activators and inhibitors. The inhibition of neoangiogenesis may be used in the treatment of malignant neoplasms and their metastases, as well as benign tumors.The use of anti-angiogenic drugs for tumor growth suppression in Oncology till nowadays is limited. Some of the studies associate targeted anti-angiogenic therapy low effectivity in certain types of cancer with increased toxicity of chemotherapy and a reduction in the relapsing-free period. The relationship between tumor growth and angiogenesis requires further investigation.