A review of angiogenesis and anti-angiogenic therapy in hematologic malignancies

Tumor angiogenesis is currently not only a concept but has also become a rationale for the therapeutic use of both old and new drugs that might affect new blood vessel formation. There is growing evidence that angiogenesis is as important in hematologic malignancies as it is in solid tumors. Both myeloid and lymphoid disorders may be accompanied by a prognostically detrimental increase in bone marrow microvessel density. In this review, we summarize the current literature as well as our own studies regarding bone marrow angiogenesis and the use of anti-angiogenic treatment in hematologic disorders. Background information on pathogenesis and laboratory methods of quantifying bone marrow angiogenesis is also discussed.