Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing ones.
It forms the core of the metastatic cascade, since the tumor cells needs nutrition for their
growth at distant sites. The work by Folkman et al., has led to a significant understanding
of the angiogenesis process and development of novel anti-cancer strategies based on
angiogenesis inhibition. In the present chapter we have discussed various pro-angiogenic
and anti-angiogenic molecules that are involved in angiogenesis. Further, we have tried to
summarise the various molecules both natural and synthetic that inhibit angiogenesis and
are being used as novel strategies for the treatment of cancer.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, angiogenic switch, cancer, endothelial cells, growth
factors, hypoxia, integrins, metastasis, natural inhibitors, signaling pathway,
STAT-3, synthetic inhibitors, targeting, VEGF.
