This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) eLetters: Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services E-mail this article link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by List, A. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by List, A. F.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling Pathway as an Emerging Target in Hematologic Malignancies

Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Correspondence: Alan F. List, M.D., Arizona Cancer Center, Rm 3945, 1515 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. Telephone: 520-626-2340; Fax: 520-626-2415; e-mail: Mhala{at}azcc.arizona.edu

Angiogenesis is important in a variety of physiologic and pathologic disorders. It is a central element in embryogenesis, ovulation, wound healing, diabetic retinopathy, and rheumatoid arthritis and in the establishment and spread of malignant tumors. Angiogenic factors include direct angiogens, indirect angiogens, and integrins. Direct angiogens stimulate the formation of new blood vessels directly. Indirect angiogens promote neovascular formation by paracrine stimulation of direct angiogens. Integrins mediate interactions between the developing vessels and components of the extracellular matrix. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a principal direct angiogen. By binding to 1 of 3 receptors (VEGFR-1, -2, or -3), it influences vasculogenesis during embryogenesis, physiologic and neoplastic angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis. Although the importance of angiogenesis in solid tumors has been recognized for some time, its exact significance in hematologic malignancies is less clear. Evidence now suggests that VEGF has a major role in the development and progression of hematologic malignancies such as acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, myelodysplasia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Potential therapeutic interventions to interrupt the VEGF signaling pathway of malignancy include antibodies that neutralize the growth factor and small molecules that inhibit the receptor tyrosine kinase activity of VEGF receptors.

Key Words. Angiogenesis • Hematologic malignancy • Receptor tyrosine kinase • Vascular endothelial growth factor

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. M. Gustafsdottir, S. Wennstrom, S. Fredriksson, E. Schallmeiner, A. D. Hamilton, S. M. Sebti, and U. Landegren Use of Proximity Ligation to Screen for Inhibitors of Interactions between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Its Receptors Clin. Chem., July 1, 2008; 54(7): 1218 - 1225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. P. Liddell and S. B. Solomon Thermal Protection During Radiofrequency Ablation Am. J. Roentgenol., June 1, 2004; 182(6): 1459 - 1461. [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Ferrara Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as a Target for Anticancer Therapy Oncologist, June 1, 2004; 9(suppl_1): 2 - 10. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. X. Chen Expanding the Clinical Development of Bevacizumab Oncologist, June 1, 2004; 9(suppl_1): 27 - 35. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Sepp-Lorenzino, E. Rands, X. Mao, B. Connolly, J. Shipman, J. Antanavage, S. Hill, L. Davis, S. Beck, K. Rickert, et al. A Novel Orally Bioavailable Inhibitor of Kinase Insert Domain-Containing Receptor Induces Antiangiogenic Effects and Prevents Tumor Growth in Vivo Cancer Res., January 15, 2004; 64(2): 751 - 756. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Zangari, E. Anaissie, A. Stopeck, A. Morimoto, N. Tan, J. Lancet, M. Cooper, A. Hannah, G. Garcia-Manero, S. Faderl, et al. Phase II Study of SU5416, a Small Molecule Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Inhibitor, in Patients with Refractory Multiple Myeloma Clin. Cancer Res., January 1, 2004; 10(1): 88 - 95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Pawlik, F. Izzo, D. S. Cohen, J. S. Morris, and S. A. Curley Combined Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation for Advanced Hepatic Malignancies: Results in 172 Patients Ann. Surg. Oncol., November 1, 2003; 10(9): 1059 - 1069. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Burdio, A. Guemes, J. M. Burdio, A. Navarro, R. Sousa, T. Castiella, I. Cruz, O. Burzaco, and R. Lozano Bipolar Saline-enhanced Electrode for Radiofrequency Ablation: Results of Experimental Study of in Vivo Porcine Liver Radiology, November 1, 2003; 229(2): 447 - 456. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Herrera, H. C. Fernando, Y. Perry, W. E. Gooding, P. O. Buenaventura, N. A. Christie, and J. D. Luketich Radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary malignant tumors in nonsurgical candidates J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., April 1, 2003; 125(4): 929 - 937. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Rhim, K.-H. Yoon, J. M. Lee, Y. Cho, J.-S. Cho, S. H. Kim, W.-J. Lee, H. K. Lim, G.-J. Nam, S.-S. Han, et al. Major Complications after Radio-frequency Thermal Ablation of Hepatic Tumors: Spectrum of Imaging Findings RadioGraphics, January 1, 2003; 23(1): 123 - 134. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]