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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Rat Mesentery Angiogenesis Assay
Published on: June 18, 2011
A surrogate marker to monitor angiogenesis at last
Martin Schneider1, Marc Tjwa, Peter Carmeliet
1The Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, the Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy, KULeuven, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
Abstract:
The first angiogenesis inhibitor has recently been approved for cancer treatment. Nonetheless, optimizing the dose of novel angiogenesis inhibitors remains a formidable challenge--primarily because we lack reliable surrogate markers of tumor angiogenesis. In this issue, Shaked et al. provide evidence that the levels of circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPs), which contribute to the formation of tumor vessels, are genetically predetermined and regulated by angiogenic factors, and reflect the antitumor efficacy of angiogenesis inhibitors. These findings highlight the potential usefulness of CEPs as a surrogate marker to monitor and adjust antiangiogenic therapy.
Insights
Circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPs) levels are genetically determined and can predict the effectiveness of anti-angiogenesis cancer drugs. Monitoring CEPs may help optimize anti-cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- The first angiogenesis inhibitor is approved for cancer therapy, but optimizing dosage is challenging due to a lack of reliable tumor angiogenesis markers.
- Tumor angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels to feed tumors, is a critical target in cancer treatment.
Discussion:
- Shaked et al. demonstrate that circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPs) levels are genetically predetermined and influenced by angiogenic factors.
- These CEP levels correlate with the efficacy of angiogenesis inhibitors, suggesting their potential as surrogate markers.
- The study highlights the role of CEPs in tumor vessel formation and their regulation by angiogenic signaling pathways.
Key Insights:
- Circulating endothelial precursor cell (CEP) levels are genetically regulated and influenced by angiogenic factors.
- CEP levels serve as a reliable indicator of tumor angiogenesis and reflect the antitumor effects of angiogenesis inhibitors.
- This research identifies CEPs as a potential surrogate marker for monitoring and adjusting antiangiogenic therapies.
Outlook:
- Further validation of CEPs as surrogate markers could lead to personalized antiangiogenic treatment strategies.
- Monitoring CEP levels may enable clinicians to optimize drug dosage and improve patient outcomes in cancer therapy.
- This work opens avenues for developing novel diagnostic tools based on CEPs for anti-angiogenesis drug monitoring.
