Angiogenesis and antiangiogenesis: new therapeutic strategies

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is important during the embryonal and fetal period. In the healthy adult it is restricted to the placenta, the ovary and the mammary gland. All remaining angiogenic processes are linked to pathological situations such as angiogenesis in tumour growth. Stimulation of angiogenesis increases vascular supply and may be applied to advance transport of nutrients and oxygen to ischaemic tissues. Inhibition of angiogenesis discontinues vascular supply and consequently may repress abnormal growth. In recent years basic research in embryology has fed to the identification and isolation of a number of stimulators and inhibitors of angiogenesis. Clinical application of these substances may be useful in the therapy of diseases in which angiogenesis is a prominent component.