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Role of angiogenesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Letilovic Tomislav,
Vrhovac Radovan,
Verstovsek Srdan,
Jaksic Branimir,
Ferrajoli Alessandra
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.22086
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , medicine , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , bone marrow , leukemia , immunology , neovascularization , pathophysiology , cancer research , disease , pathology
Abstract Angiogenesis is a physiologic process of new blood vessels formation mediated by various cytokines called angiogenic and angiostatic factors. Although its potential pathophysiologic role in solid tumors has been extensively studied for more than 3 decades, enhancement of angiogenesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other malignant hematological disorders has been recognized more recently. An increased level of angiogenesis has been documented by various experimental methods both in bone marrow and lymph nodes of patients with CLL. Although the role of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of this disease remains to be fully elucidated, experimental data suggest that several angiogenic factors play a role in the disease progression. Biologic markers of angiogenesis were also shown to be of prognostic relevance in CLL. The current findings provide the rationale for investigating antiangiogenic agents in CLL. In the current review angiogenesis in CLL is discussed and its potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.