[Angiogenesis and hematologic malignancy].

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of tumors. This relationship has been described in several hematologic malignancies. Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor are predictors of poor prognosis in leukemia and non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Bone marrow microvessels were found increased in multiple myeloma, but also in lymphoma and in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Microvessel density is correlated with decreased survival in myeloma patients and relapse or resistance to chemotherapy in lymphoma. New drugs with antiangiogenic activity such as bevacizumab (binding and inactivation of VEGF) or VEGF-tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown promising results in phase 1 trials. It will therefore be a future challenge to integrate anti-angiogenesis agents in currently existing treatment protocols to improve the outcome of therapy.