The Roles of Angiogenesis in Malignant Melanoma: Trends in Basic Science Research over the Last 100 Years. (7th June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dewing, D.; Emmett, M.; Pritchard Jones, R.
• Other Names: Fujimoto N. Academic Editor.; Karakitsos P. Academic Editor.; Saragoni L. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN oncology. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-06-07
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms; Oncology; Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.5402/2012/546927
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5661

Abstract

Abstract : Blood vessels arose during evolution carrying oxygen and nutrients to distant organs via complex networks of blood vessels penetrating organs and tissues. Mammalian cells require oxygen and nutrients for survival, of which oxygen has a diffusion limit of 100 to 200 μ m between cell and blood vessel. For growth beyond this margin, cells must recruit new blood vessels, first by vasculogenesis, where embryonic vessels form from endothelial precursors, then angiogenesis which is the sprouting of interstitial tissue columns into the lumen of preexisting blood vessels. Angiogenesis occurs in many inflammatory diseases and in many malignant disease states, including over 90% of solid tumours. Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most lethal skin cancer, highly angiogenic, highly metastatic, and refractory to all treatments. Raised serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) strongly correlate MM disease progression and poor prognosis. Melanoma cells secrete several proangiogenic cytokines including VEGF-A, fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), platelet growth factor (PGF-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and transforming growth factor (TGF-1) that modulate the angiogenic switch, changing expression levels during tumour transition from radial to invasive vertical and then metastatic growth. We highlight modern and historical lines of research and development that are driving this exciting area of research currently.