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Review
. 2022 May 16;14(10):2446.
doi: 10.3390/cancers14102446.

Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Angiogenesis in a Tumor Context

Mannon Geindreau  1   2 , Mélanie Bruchard  1   2   3   4 , Frédérique Vegran  1   2   3   4
Affiliations
Review

Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Angiogenesis in a Tumor Context

Mannon Geindreau et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

During carcinogenesis, tumors set various mechanisms to help support their development. Angiogenesis is a crucial process for cancer development as it drives the creation of blood vessels within the tumor. These newly formed blood vessels insure the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tumor, helping its growth. The main factors that regulate angiogenesis are the five members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer and has been the target of new therapies this past few years. However, angiogenesis is a complex phenomenon with many redundancy pathways that ensure its maintenance. In this review, we will first describe the consecutive steps forming angiogenesis, as well as its classical regulators. We will then discuss how the cytokines and chemokines present in the tumor microenvironment can induce or block angiogenesis. Finally, we will focus on the therapeutic arsenal targeting angiogenesis in cancer and the challenges they have to overcome.

Keywords: angiogenesis; cancer; chemokines; cytokines; therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Neoangiogenesis in tumor. A tumor needs nutrients and oxygen (O2) to support neoplastic expansion. The provision of these needs requires the establishment of a new vascular network through the process of angiogenesis. Angiogenesis consists of the assembly of endothelial cells in the form of tubes from existing vessels. During hypoxia and tumor growth, the nuclear translocation of HIF1α induces the expression of pro-angiogenic factors such as VEGF, EGF, or FGF... Angiogenic factors are able to activate and stimulate endothelial cells through membrane receptors. Indeed, these signals participate in the proliferation, invasion, migration, survival, and increase in the permeability of the vessels. Inspired from the Cancer Research Product Guide Edition 3, 2015.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Role of classical regulators of angiogenesis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Role of cytokines in angiogenesis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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