[Angiogenesis - possibilities, problems and perspectives]

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. This process occurs via budding endothelial cells in postnatal period, which is essential to many physiological phenomena (e.g. wound healing, formation of the placenta) and pathological ones such as cancer, ischemic diseases, and chronic inflammation. Various mechanisms of the formation of new blood vessels have been discovered and a number of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors have been found. Understanding the function of these factors contributes to the creation of new tools and applications in the treatment of pathological processes. Article describes the regulation of angiogenesis and is a review of the most significant angiogenic factors and their inhibitors. It shows the selected mechanisms which underlie the action of currently used anti-angiogenic drugs and is a review of research which use these factors in anti-angiogenic therapy.