[Angiogenesis and hematological malignancies].

BACKGROUND

It is fairly well documented that the growth and metastasis of solid tumours is accompanied by increased formation of new blood vessels emanating from a pre-existing vascular bed. Recent findings suggest that angiogenesis also takes place in haematological malignancies. These findings suggest that angiogenesis might be a potential target for therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A short review is presented on the basis of literature identified on PubMed and Medline as well as our own data.

RESULTS

When surrogate markers are used, such as the plasma concentration of angiogenic growth factors or the density of blood vessels within the bone marrow, angiogenesis is associated with poor prognosis and treatment outcome in haematopoietic malignancy. While human treatment data are scarce, findings in animal experiments suggest that anti-angiogenesis might retard leukemogenesis.

INTERPRETATION

The proliferation and dissemination of malignant blood cells seems to be related to increased angiogenesis in the bone marrow. Targeting components of the angiogenic process might offer adjunct treatment modalities in haematopoietic malignancy.