Angiogenesis and breast cancer

Abstract

Angiogenesis is an essential step for breast cancer progression and dissemination. The development of new blood vessels in cancer setting (angiogenesis) is conducted by numerous physiological and pathological stimuli, where the main stimulus is hypoxia. The knowledge of different molecular pathways regulating angiogenesis is constantly growing. An increased and complex scenario of angiogenesis is nowadays available in breast cancer, specifically, and permits not only to understand most of the important phases of neoplastic growth but also offer an exciting perspective for new therapeutic proposals based on blocking new blood vessels sprouting. This review focused on historical and recent understanding of angiogenesis occurrence in breast cancer.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of molecular players involved in paracrine and autocrine VEGF secretion. Tumour cells are the major source of VEGF production, but alternative cells are currently credited as important sources to release VEGF. VEGF receptors expressed in endothelial cells have pivotal role in cancer angiogenesis and angiopoietin 1, and Tie2 receptor support the new vessel stabilization, whereas Ang-2 is thought to antagonize the stabilizing action of Ang-1. Tie-2 receptor was recently recognised to critically participate on breast cancer development and bone metastasis.