Potential prognostic and therapeutic role for angiogenesis markers in laryngeal carcinoma

Acta Otolaryngol. 2012 Jun;132(6):574-82. doi: 10.3109/00016489.2011.652308. Epub 2012 Apr 12.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer, fundamental to its growth. The 'angiogenic switch' occurs when pro-angiogenic factors are not balanced by anti-angiogenic factors. A correlation between angiogenic properties and oncological prognosis (for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) too) was first hypothesized in the 1990s. An exhaustive literature review was performed to investigate available data on angiogenesis markers and their biological role and therapeutic potential in LSCC. The prognostic significance of microvascular density in LSCC was investigated with endothelial targets, e.g. CD105, CD34, and CD31. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2, angiogenin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1, and other biological markers were also studied. Only anti-EGFR therapy has been approved by the USFood and Drug Administration (FDA) for head and neck carcinoma in recent years, while several agents interfering with VEGF and its receptors are being studied. Experimental findings indicate that anti-CD105 monoclonal antibodies efficiently inhibit tumor angiogenesis. There are two main ways to approach the vascular profile of solid malignancies: by inhibiting new vessel formation (anti-angiogenic therapy) or selectively damaging neoplastic vessels (vascular targeting therapy). In advanced LSCC, both these strategies seem promising and warrant further preclinical and clinical investigation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / metabolism
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms* / blood supply
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor