About this Research Topic
Angiogenesis is a coordinated multi-step process of blood vessel formation. In the adult, the endothelium is in a relatively quiescent state, and angiogenesis is observed only in a few instances such as wound healing. Conversely, most malignancies are characterized by excessive and aberrant angiogenesis. Research has shown that tumors can use both mechanisms to augment their vascular supply. Sprouting angiogenesis is the de novo formation of blood vessels from an existing microvasculature. On the other hand, non-sprouting angiogenesis, also referred to as intussusception, is the formation of new vessels through the splitting of an existing vessel. Since the pioneering work of Folkman and colleagues which unraveled the mechanisms by which tumors recruit blood vessels, several pharmacologic agents have been developed to suppress angiogenesis. These molecules mainly target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor-2 axis.
Anti-angiogenic therapies, particularly those targeting the VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathway, are often associated with the development of resistance and severe toxicity. Both hypoxia and cytokines produced by immune cells in the tumor micro-environment (TME) contribute to the activation of alternative angiogenesis pathways. In addition, several aggressive tumors can form fluid-transporting channels that are similar to blood vessels but are devoid of endothelial cells (ECs) through vascular mimicry (VM). Importantly, VM is exacerbated following anti-angiogenic treatment. Hence, the putative targeting of multiple regulators of the tumor vasculature is an important approach in treating neoplastic disease characterized by impaired or excessive vascularization.
This Research Topic will highlight recent developments in the pharmacological targeting of tumor vasculature, with emphasis on identifying useful biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic targets that can improve patient outcomes. Authors are invited to submit Original Research, Review, Clinical Trial, and Case Report articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Pharmacological manipulation of the tumor vasculature.
• Predictive vascular tumor biomarkers with clinical application.
• Accidental angiogenesis inhibitors.
• Innovative multi-targeting approaches to curtail tumor vascularization.
• Mechanisms of resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors.
• Immune modulators and anti-angiogenic drugs.
• Therapeutic targeting of vascular mimicry in cancer.
• Vascular normalization in cancer treatment.
Manuscripts evaluating plant and fungal extracts for pharmacological activity need to be submitted through the 'Ethnopharmacology' section.
All the manuscripts submitted to the collection through this path will need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here). Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205. Please note the traditional context including the primary background and modern uses with supporting references must be included in the manuscript introduction. Purely in silico approaches using complex mixtures (extracts) are generally not considered.
If your MS involves plant or fungal extracts, check your MS using this tool.
Anti-angiogenic therapies, particularly those targeting the VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathway, are often associated with the development of resistance and severe toxicity. Both hypoxia and cytokines produced by immune cells in the tumor micro-environment (TME) contribute to the activation of alternative angiogenesis pathways. In addition, several aggressive tumors can form fluid-transporting channels that are similar to blood vessels but are devoid of endothelial cells (ECs) through vascular mimicry (VM). Importantly, VM is exacerbated following anti-angiogenic treatment. Hence, the putative targeting of multiple regulators of the tumor vasculature is an important approach in treating neoplastic disease characterized by impaired or excessive vascularization.
This Research Topic will highlight recent developments in the pharmacological targeting of tumor vasculature, with emphasis on identifying useful biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic targets that can improve patient outcomes. Authors are invited to submit Original Research, Review, Clinical Trial, and Case Report articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Pharmacological manipulation of the tumor vasculature.
• Predictive vascular tumor biomarkers with clinical application.
• Accidental angiogenesis inhibitors.
• Innovative multi-targeting approaches to curtail tumor vascularization.
• Mechanisms of resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors.
• Immune modulators and anti-angiogenic drugs.
• Therapeutic targeting of vascular mimicry in cancer.
• Vascular normalization in cancer treatment.
Manuscripts evaluating plant and fungal extracts for pharmacological activity need to be submitted through the 'Ethnopharmacology' section.
All the manuscripts submitted to the collection through this path will need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here). Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205. Please note the traditional context including the primary background and modern uses with supporting references must be included in the manuscript introduction. Purely in silico approaches using complex mixtures (extracts) are generally not considered.
If your MS involves plant or fungal extracts, check your MS using this tool.
Keywords: angiogenesis, Biomarkers Cancer, Drug Targets, Anti-angiogenic therapy, Vascular mimicry
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
