Tumor angiogenesis of non–small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the commonest causes of cancer death in developed countries. Recent evidence suggests that angoigenesis is related to poor prognosis in many solid tumors including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Angiogenesis is regulated by a complex interaction among growth factors and cytokines and influenced by proteolytic enzymes such as plasminogen activators and matrix metalloproteases, expression of adhesion molecules, and distribution of extracellular matrices. Fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and endothelial cells themselves also affect angiogenesis. This review concentrates on angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietins, platelet derived endothelial growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, proteases, adhesion molecules including vascular endothelial cadherin and integrins, osteopontin, and mast cell products in tumor angiogenesis of NSCLC. Microsc. Res. Tech. 60:186–198, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.