Tumor Angiogenesis Regulators PDF

Preface

It has long been recognized that once a critical mass of tumor cells is achieved, the cells can secrete and ever growing list of factors that can reprogram the surrounding microenvironment making it more receptive to tumor establishment, maintenance and growth. These processes are highly reliant on angiogenesis. There is a number of prominent pro-angiogenic factors involved in tumor angiogenesis that have been studied extensively. However, there is also an increasing number of lesser known factors and conditions that are contributing to tumor angiogenesis. Moreover, accumulating data provides evidence to suggest angiogenesis is controlled by opposing actions of an increasing number of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors emphasizing the challenges facing scientists and clinicians.

The book provides a comprehensive update of classical and nonclassical factors modulating the angiogenesis process: VEGF, cancer and endothelial stem cells, vasculogenic mimicry, tumor-activated macrophages, proteins, proteases with special emphasis on cathepsins; Notch and crosstalk to cytokines, Krüppel-Like factor, inflammatory and bioactive lipids and steroids, with special emphasis on cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways.

Several chapters are devoted to the mechanisms/pathways regulating the expression and actions of classical and novel tumor angiogenesis regulators. In addition, anti-angiogenic drugs currently in use to combat several types of cancers are discussed. The book also provides relevant and up to date information on the potential influence of pandemic overweight and obesity as well as diabetes and metabolic syndrome on the regulation of tumor angiogenesis. Additional, current data on genetic polymorphisms in several molecules potentially responsible for health disparity and differential tumor angiogenesis outcome among ethnic groups is also presented.

In summary, the book addresses several aspects of the, biochemical, biological and physiological actions of well-characterized and novel regulators of the tumor angiogenesis process. The information provided can serve as the basis for the further development of old and new areas of basic and translational and clinical research on the regulation of tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, the book is intended to serve as a source for updated scientific information on angiogenesis to researchers, scholars and clinicians from multiple disciplines that have an interest in tumor biology.