Angiogenesis in Melanoma

doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2007.09.009

Seminars in Oncology

Volume 34, Issue 6, December 2007, Pages 555-565

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2007.09.009 Get rights and content

The process of angiogenesis is crucial for progression and metastasis of the majority of solid tumors including melanomas. The current review summarizes existing knowledge of the mechanisms of angiogenesis in melanoma, as well as current anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategies and their targets. We focus primarily on the role of key growth factors that are secreted by melanoma cells and known to trigger angiogenic responses, and their receptors as expressed on both endothelial and melanoma cells. Many of these growth factors function in synergy with receptors for extracellular matrix, integrins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). All of these systems of molecules are activated during major stages of angiogenesis such as endothelial migration, proliferation, and reorganization of surrounding extracellular matrix. The blockade of these molecules and their downstream pathways leads to inhibition of melanoma vascularization. Thus, these classes of molecules are essential for melanoma angiogenesis and, therefore, might serve as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Many recently developed compounds targeting key pathways in angiogenesis are in their final stages of clinical trials.

Section snippets

Growth Factor–Dependent Melanoma Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis in melanoma is stimulated by a variety of growth factors. Among these are VEGF, bFGF, acidic FGF, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factors α and β (TGF-α and β) (Fig 2). Angiogenesis serves as a turning point in melanoma tumor growth and metastasis.

Conclusion

In sum, the process of angiogenesis in melanoma is crucial for tumor development and metastasis and undoubtedly requires further detailed investigation of its underlying mechanisms. Since this process involves a synergistic action of several classes of molecules and signaling pathways, there are numerous possibilities for the development of non-overlapping therapeutic strategies. Several angiogenic compounds are already in clinical trials for melanoma and available preliminary results are

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: Supported by the US National Institutes of Health (HL071625 and HL073311 to T.V.B.) and American Heart Association (0625271B to G.H.M.).

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Angiogenesis in Melanoma

Section snippets

Growth Factor–Dependent Melanoma Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis

Conclusion

Vaccine

Eur J Cancer

J Dermatol Sci

Biochim Biophys Acta

Cytokine

Chest

Gynecol Oncol

Matrix Biol

Eur J Cancer

Curr Top Dev Biol

Am J Pathol

Cancer Cell

Am J Ophthalmol

Biochim Biophys Acta

J Invest Dermatol

Biochim Biophys Acta

Am J Surg

Symp Soc Dev Biol

Clin Ther

Pharmacol Ther

Am J Pathol

Ann Oncol

Angiogenesis

Annu Rev Med

The growth of the blood supply to melanoma transplants in the hamster cheek pouch

Lab Invest

MelanomaTumor angiogenesis and human neoplasia

Cancer

Neoplastic progression and prognosis in melanoma

Semin Cutan Med Surg

Molecular events in melanoma development and progression

Front Biosci

Failure of senescence in the dysplasia-melanoma sequence: Demonstration using a tissue microarray and a revised paradigm for melanoma

Semin Oncol

Ultraviolet radiation and cutaneous malignant melanoma

Oncogene

Melanocyte biology and skin pigmentation

Nature

Melanoma: Prevention and early detection

Semin Oncol

Hypoxic miroenvirornment as a cradle for melanoma development and progression

Cancer Biol Ther

Reprogramming metastatic tumor cells with embryonic microenvironments

Nat Rev Cancer

Targeting growth factors and angiogenesis; using small molecules in malignancy

Cancer Metastasis Rev

Antiangiogenic cancer therapies get their act together: Current developments and future prospects of growth factor- and growth factor receptor-targeted approaches

Exp Dermatol

Evaluating antiangiogenesis agents in the clinic: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Portfolio of Clinical Trials

Clin Cancer Res

Bevacizumab in combination chemotherapy for colorectal and other cancers

Am J Health Syst Pharm

[Angiogenesis and tumor progression in melanoma]

Recenti Prog Med

Expression and localization of placenta growth factor and PlGF receptors in human meningiomas

J Pathol

Role of interleukin-8 in tumor growth and metastasis of human melanoma

Pathobiology

Bioimmunotherapy for melanoma using fully human antibodies targeting MCAM/MUC18 and IL-8

Pigment Cell Res

Different roles for plasminogen activators and metalloproteinases in melanoma metastasis

Curr Top Microbiol Immunol

Plasminogen activation in melanocytic neoplasia

Cancer Res