Anti-angiogenesis and metastasis: a tumour and stromal cell alliance

Moserle L, Casanovas O (Catalan Institute of Oncology - IDIBELL, Spain). Anti-angiogenesis and metastasis: a tumour and stromal cell alliance (Review). J Intern Med 2013; 273: 128-137. Tumour progression requires the activation of a tumour and stromal cell-driven angiogenic programme, and the targeting of this process demonstrates an impact on tumour growth and progression. The results of preclinical studies have demonstrated a proinvasive/metastatic effect of antiangiogenic treatments with recent evidence supporting a contribution of the stroma to tumour aggressiveness and the short-term effects of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Furthermore, hypoxia-dependent and -independent factors are considered as driving forces for tumour cell escape by altering both the tumour cells themselves and the stroma. This tumourstromal cell alliance should be taken into consideration for the development of innovative therapeutic options targeting both tumour components to improve clinical benefits for cancer patients.