Events Leading to Angiogenesis and Metastasis

Early tumors begin as small masses no larger than about 1 mm³ in diameter. In the absence of angiogenesis tumors are unable to grow further, although active cell proliferation, counter-balanced by apoptosis, occurs continually in these tumors. The tumor cells farthest removed from the blood supply become hypoxic. In response to the hypoxic environment, hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) accumulates and translocates to the nucleus where it dimerizes with its partner, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) and promotes transcription of many downstream target genes, including the gene for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In effect, an angiogenic switch is flipped, that allows for the formation of a neovasculature that is necessary for tumor growth. Interactions between tumor cells, stromal cells, and endothelial cells triggers the secretion and activation of matrix metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix and permit the budding of new blood vessels from existing vessels. The proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells are triggered by angiogenic growth factors secreted by tumor cells, such as VEGF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Blood vessels that are established in the tumor tissue permit the invasion of tumor cells into the bloodstream, which carries these cells to additional sites in the body, where they may establish new tumors or metastases.

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