Genes that regulate metastasis and angiogenesis

Genetic instability and an accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes d uring tumor progression lead to an increasingly aggressive and treatment-re sistant phenotype, and ultimately metastasis. In recent years it has become well established that angiogenesis, the process by which new vasculature i s formed from pre-existing vessels, is an essential component to primary tu mor growth and distant metastasis. A greater understanding of the complex m ultitude of factors involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis is fundam ental to the development of potential therapeutics to treat malignant disea se. As highlighted throughout this review, angiogenesis and metastasis shar e many common cellular and molecular features. We will briefly discuss the pertinent genes involved in the regulation of angiogenesis and metastasis.