Basic and Clinical Oncology #24: Tumor Angiogenesis and Microcirculation

Compiling the latest developments in anticancer therapies based on the connection between tumor and capillary growth, Tumor Angiogenesis and Microcirculation presents a comprehensive overview of diverse aspects of angiogenesis-related cancer research. Highlights the role angiogenesis and its inhibitors play in the growth, metastasis, and dormancy of tumors! Facilitating the progress of clinical practice with insights from methodological and scientific results, Tumor Angiogenesis and Microcirculation 7summarizes biological principles of angiogenesis and microcirculation, from endothelial cells and pericytes, and extracellular matrix regulation to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasmin and plasmin inhibitors 7examines proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial (VEGF) and basic fibroblast (bFGF) growth factors, tie receptors, and cytokines 7outlines methods for discovering angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitor peptides, particularly the clinical development of thrombospondin, angiostatin, endostatin, and MMP inhibitors 7reveals the link between oncogenes and neoplastic angiogenesis and its regulation by the organ microenvironment 7investigates tumor vascularity in relation to tumor growth and the spread of cancer 7details promising future applications, including perspectives in vascular cancer therapy 7and more! Combining the resources of 60 recognized experts and nearly 3000 pertinent literature references, drawings, photographs, and x-rays, Tumor Angiogenesis and Microcirculation profits oncologists, pathologists, hematologists, and radiation and hemato-oncologists; surgeons and internists; cardiologists; immunologists; cell, molecular, and developmental biologists; rheumatologists; ophthalmologists; dermatologists; and medical school students in these disciplines.

As part of a series emphasizing interaction between basic oncology scientists and clinical researchers, this volume presents the latest research and therapies relating to the now accepted hypothesis that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent, i.e., tumors and metastases require the development of new supporting blood vessels. Newer therapies based on this insight counter the conventional thinking about cancer treatment by targeting tumor vasculature rather than tumors themselves. The 34 papers by international specialists elucidate the biological principles of angiogenesis, assays to study the process, angiogenic factors, regulation, angiogenesis inhibitors, and future perspectives. Voest is a professor of medical oncology at the U. Medical Center in Utrecht, The Netherlands. D'Amore is a professor of ophthalmology and pathology at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
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