Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 44, Issue 2 , Pages 128-138, June 2005

Angiogenesis, Thrombospondin-1 and Cervical Carcinogenesis

  • Ming-Ping Wu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chi Mei Foundation Hospital, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Cheng-Yang Chou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
    • College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr. Cheng-Yang Chou, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138 Sheng-Li Road, Tainan 704, Taiwan

Received 23 February 2005; received in revised form 7 March 2005; accepted 8 March 2005.

Article Outline

Summary

Angiogenesis, the growth of new vessels from existing vasculature, plays an essential role in tumor development. The process involves interaction among cancer cells, endothelial cells, and components of the extracellular matrix, and is regulated by the balance of angiogenesis activators and angiogenesis inhibitors. This review profiles some fundamental concepts of angiogenesis, the importance of angiogenesis in cervical neoplasm, and the role of thrombospondin-1 as an angiogenesis inhibitor in cervical carcinogenesis. The usefulness and limitations of microvessel density in evaluation of angiogenic status are also discussed. Recent research and evolving concepts have led to a paradigm shift in anticancer therapy, from conventional cancer-centered chemotherapy to angiogenic or “metronomic” chemotherapy and/or combined angiogenesis inhibitors. The epigenetic strategy, which views the tumor system as a whole, transcends the cancer gene-centered approach.

Key Words:  angiogenesis activator , angiogenesis inhibitor , cervical cancer , metronomic chemotherapy

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PII: S1028-4559(09)60124-8

doi:10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60124-8

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 44, Issue 2 , Pages 128-138, June 2005

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