Modulation of tumor-induced angiogenesis by proteins of extracellular matrix.

The formation of new vessels is a known event in enlarging tumors. Furthermore, the metastatic potential is abrogated or reduced markedly in the absence of neovascularization. Shedding of tumor cells into the circulation is not observed until vascularization has occurred. As a result, the interruption of neovascularization could be a good target for cancer control. This research was an attempt to see if two proteins present in extracellular matrix, collagen and fibronectin (FN), could modify the tumor-induced angiogenesis. The strong angiogenic response induced by S13 tumor cells in the skin of BALB/c mice was blocked by treatment with FN and FN-derived peptides. In contrast, collagen did not modify tumor-induced angiogenesis.