How does angiogenesis contribute to the growth and spread of tumors?
Angiogenesis contributes to tumor growth and spread by providing the tumor with necessary nutrients and oxygen through newly formed blood vessels, facilitating tumor enlargement. Additionally, it enables cancer cells to gain access to the bloodstream, promoting metastasis to distant organs.
What therapies target angiogenesis in the treatment of cancer?
Therapies targeting angiogenesis in cancer treatment include bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., sunitinib, sorafenib), and mTOR inhibitors (e.g., everolimus). These agents aim to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors, thereby hindering tumor growth and metastasis.
What role do angiogenesis inhibitors play in preventing tumor recurrence?
Angiogenesis inhibitors help prevent tumor recurrence by blocking the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to tumors, thereby inhibiting their growth and ability to metastasize. This starves tumor cells, potentially slowing their progression and reducing the chance of recurrence following treatment.
How is angiogenesis in tumors detected or measured?
Angiogenesis in tumors is detected or measured using imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans, PET scans, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, as well as through histological analysis and molecular markers like VEGF levels, CD31, and CD105 expression in tissue samples.
What are the key factors that regulate angiogenesis in tumors?
The key factors that regulate angiogenesis in tumors include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), angiopoietins, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These factors promote endothelial cell proliferation and migration, leading to the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the tumor.