Cancer Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis

A growing tumor is dependent on developing a functioning vasculature. Blood vessels can be formed through de novo differentiation from endothelial progenitor cells in the process of vasculogenesis or by sprouting or splitting from existing blood vessels in the process of angiogenesis. In this article, these processes are discussed in detail with a special focus on the signaling events that guide the development of a tumor vasculature. Preventing angiogenesis is a potential way of treating cancer, and many antiangiogenic substances have entered the clinic and are used as therapeutic options for certain cancers.