Angiogenesis in psoriasis: therapeutic implications

J Folkman - Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1972 - Elsevier
J Folkman
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1972Elsevier
Within solid neoplasms, the population of tumor cells and the population of capillary
endothelial cells constitute a highly integrated ecosystem. Tumor cells release an
endothelial mitogen, Tumor-Angiogenesis-Factor (TAF) which continually stimulates new
capillaries to grow into the tumor. When TAF is blocked, neovascularization is prevented and
tumor nodules stop expanding at a diameter less than 2.5 mm. They enter a dormant phase
because they are forced to live by simple diffusion of nutrients and wastes. Thus “anti …
Within solid neoplasms, the population of tumor cells and the population of capillary endothelial cells constitute a highly integrated ecosystem. Tumor cells release an endothelial mitogen, Tumor-Angiogenesis-Factor (T.A.F.) which continually stimulates new capillaries to grow into the tumor. When T.A.F. is blocked, neovascularization is prevented and tumor nodules stop expanding at a diameter less than 2.5 mm. They enter a dormant phase because they are forced to live by simple diffusion of nutrients and wastes. Thus “anti-angiogenesis” can force a population of tumor cells to become dormant at a tiny diameter.
In this paper an analogy is drawn between tumor angiogenesis and the angiogenesis which accompanies psoriasis. If the relationship between psoriatic epithelium and its capillary endothelium turns out to be similar to the integration of capillaries by solid tumors, then “anti-angiogenesis” may eventually become a useful therapeutic approach in psoriasis.
Elsevier