Angiogenesis, angiogenic factor expression and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

It is known that the growth and metastasis of malignant tumors depends on neovascularization. It has also been suggested that the degree of tumor angiogenesis is related to clinical outcome in several tumor types. This is true for gastric carcinoma, where tumor angiogenesis is closely correlated with prognosis and hematogenous metastasis. Several types of angiogenic factors have been investigated in gastric cancer. In the current review, the correlation between angiogenesis / angiogenic factor expression and prognosis in gastric cancer is discussed. Moreover, the potential clinical applications of antivascular, anti-angiogenic and angiostatic agents for the treatment of gastric carcinoma are summarized.