[Tumor angiogenesis].

Abstract

Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular control of angiogenesis have shown that this process is essential for tumor development and spread. The identification of a great many of ligands, receptors or intracellular signalling molecules have allowed to unravel some of the regulatory loops involved. Especially noteworthy is the fact that developmental regulators seem now to play a role in tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, these studies have allowed to identify novel therapeutic targets and to develop novel molecules and strategies for cancer therapy. This indicates that tumor angiogenesis is at present a major focus of cancer research.