Angiogenesis in colorectal cancer: prognostic and therapeutic implications

Angiogenesis is important for tumor growth and metastasis. This account reviews the clinicopathological studies conducted in the field of angiogenesis in colorectal cancer, the methods of assessing vascular-related characteristics in tissue sections and provides a background for the usefulness of antiangiogenic policies along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Highly angiogenic colorectal tumors are associated with aggressive histopathological features and poor patients' survival. Similarly, factors stimulating angiogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), and others, are commonly related to increased vascular density (VD) and, therefore, to an unfavorable clinical course. Anti-VEGF agents have improved prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, when added to standard chemotherapy. It is expected that, in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, agents blocking the stimulatory effect of VEGF on endothelial cells would prove beneficial to the patient.