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Angiogenesis factors in gliomas: a new key to tumour therapy?

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Abstract

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is required for the growth and expansion of tumours. Gliomas, the most common brain tumours, are particularly highly vascularized and, therefore, serve as a model to elucidate the process of tumour angiogenesis and to investigate new anti-angiogenic therapies. This review describes the role of angiogenic factors in glioma angiogenesis and new strategies to inhibit glioma growth by application of anti-angiogenic substances. We focus on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but also examine the role of angiopoietin and pleiotropic factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), pleiotrophin and transforming growth factor-β (TFG-β). Strategies to inhibit glioma growth by reducing the action of angiogenic factors, by the application of anti-angiogenic substances such as angiostatin or endostatin, or inactivation of endothelial cells, are discussed. These new anti-angiogenic therapies appear to have a high potential not only for the treatment of gliomas, but also of other tumours.

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Acknowledgements

Our own experimental studies in this field were supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Krebsforschung der Universität Kiel and Fonds der Chemischen Industrie zur Förderung von Chemie und Biochemie. We thank Prof. Dr. Olav Jansen, Clinic of Neurosurgery/Neuroradiology, University of Kiel, for MRT data; Prof. Dr. Ulrike Blömer, Clinic of Neurosurgery, for critical reading of the manuscript; Martina Burmester, Dagmar Freier and Miriam Lemmer for their expert technical assistance; and Clemens Franke for drawing the Figures.

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  1. Anatomisches Institut, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098, Kiel, Germany

    Rolf Mentlein

  2. Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universität Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany

    Janka Held-Feindt

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Mentlein, R., Held-Feindt, J. Angiogenesis factors in gliomas: a new key to tumour therapy?. Naturwissenschaften 90, 385–394 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0449-9

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