Angiogenesis in pre-invasive cancers.

Abstract

The study of angiogenesis in early and preneoplastic lesions is still at a preliminary stage. Current work provides indirect evidence, either from clinical or experimental studies only, most of which have used animal models. The use of the MVD as a marker of potential tumour invasion in pre-neoplastic disease is an attractive proposition. However, its prognostic values remain to be evaluated. Measurement of angiogenic factors, or their expression in certain pre-malignant conditions, may provide further information as to which disease may become invasive, and could possibly be used as a follow-up tool. The current treatment of pre-malignant conditions is usually surgical, although the early results of anti-angiogenesis therapy in animal models show encouraging results. Prevention is always better than cure, and the identification of pre-malignant lesions with intervention to prevent malignant transformation may soon become a realistic goal.