Angiogenic factors: role in esophageal cancer, a brief review

Esophagus. 2018 Apr;15(2):53-58. doi: 10.1007/s10388-017-0597-1. Epub 2017 Dec 16.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer has an aggressive behavior with rapid tumor mass growth and frequently poor prognosis; it is known as one of the most fatal types of cancer worldwide. The identification of potential molecular markers that can predict the response to treatment and the prognosis of this cancer has been subject of a vast investigation in the recent years. Among several molecules, various angiogenic factors that are linked to the tumor development, growth, and invasion, such as VEGF, HGF, angiopoietin-2, IL-6, and TGF-B1, were investigated. In this paper, the authors sought to review the role of these angiogenic factors in prognosis and hypothesize how they can be used as a treatment target.

Keywords: Angiopoietin-2; Esophageal cancer; HGF; IL-6; TGF-B1; VEGF.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiopoietin-2 / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / blood
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Follistatin / metabolism
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / blood
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / blood
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • ANGPT2 protein, human
  • Angiopoietin-2
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Follistatin
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor