Mechanisms of angiogenesis: clinical and therapeutic applications.

Purpose. - Endothelial and smooth muscle cells interact with each other to form new blood vessels. In this review, the cellular and molecular mechanis m underlying the formation of the primary vascular plexus (vasculogenesis), the sprouting of further blood vessels (angiogenesis) and their maturation via recruitment of smooth muscle cells (arteriogenesis) during physiologic al and pathological conditions are summarized. Current knowledge and key point. - The concept of angiogenesis is studied i n tumoral and cardiovascular pathology. Promoting the formation of new coll ateral vessels in ischemic tissues using angiogenic growth factors (therape utic angiogenesis) is a promising approach in cardiovascular diseases. Conv ersely, inhibition of the action of key regulators of angiogenesis is a new pathway for the treatment of solid tumors and metastasis. Future prospects and projects. - These concepts are being tested now in cli nical trials in the oncology or cardiovascular fields. Some trials are repo rted in this review with their potential adverse effects, limits and develo pments in the future. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.