ANGIOGENESIS (an-jee-o-JEN-uh-sis) Angio: Blood vessels. Genesis: Origin or birth.

Angiogenesis is a big word that means hope for people with cancer. But what is it, really

Angiogenesis is a natural process through which the body develops new blood vessels. In healthy bodies, new blood vessels play an important role in cell growth and repair. Angiogenesis is a normal event that occurs during healing after an injury or surgery, or during certain stages of pregnancy and the reproductive cycle.

Angiogenesis and Cancer

Angiogenesis is thought to play an important role in tumor growth. Like healthy tissue, tumors need a steady blood supply. By creating their own "network" of blood vessels, tumors develop an independent and reliable source of nutrients and oxygen, which "feed" the tumor. Without new blood vessels, tumors cannot grow beyond the size of a pea.

Tumor angiogenesis is a complicated process that begins when cancer cells release substances called growth factors, like vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF.

What is VEGF

VEGF is one of the most common and powerful growth factors released by tumor cells. After VEGF is released, it attaches to nearby cells, which triggers new blood vessels to sprout toward the tumor. These blood vessels provide the tumor with a steady blood supply and nutrients. Without VEGF, new blood vessels are unable to grow and support the tumor.

This understanding has led researchers to create medicines designed to target growth factors like VEGF. Anti-angiogenic agents are thought to work by stopping the growth of new blood vessels. This process "starves" the tumors of the blood and nutrients necessary for growth. These types of treatments are called anti-angiogenic agents or angiogenesis inhibitors.

In addition to treatments that block VEGF, researchers have developed other medicines to prevent angiogenesis in tumors by blocking other growth factors.