[Intracellular mechanisms involved in the angiogenic process in hematological malignancies]

Current studies indicate that angiogenesis is critical in the pathogenesis of numerous hematological malignancies, including acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and multiple myeloma. Moreover, some markers of angiogenesis such as increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been correlated with clinical characteristics in leukemia, serving as predictors of poor prognosis. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process, so that the deregulation of the expression of both VEGF or its cellular receptors, or the altered intracellular signaling related, are of great relevance in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. Some clinical studies in hematological malignancies are analyzing the possibility of using a combined treatment with anti-angiogenic and cytotoxic drugs as an effective anti-neoplasic therapy. This review discusses the current status in pharmacological interventions to block angiogenesis in the treatment of these neoplasias.