HIF, hypoxia and the role of angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer

Importance of the field: The role of angiogenesis in the initiation and progression of NSCLC and the molecular alterations leading to the growth of tumor vasculature are areas of great interest and recent therapeutic success. Areas covered in this review: VEGF and its receptors play critical roles in the development of tumor vasculature and can be targeted by agents such as bevacizumab in the treatment of NSCLC. Furthermore, tumor hypoxia and the expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of proteins are also linked to poorer survival in these patients. Recent studies using genetically engineered mouse models expressing stabilized HIF validate the importance of HIF in the evolution of NSCLC and demonstrate genetically that HIF is involved in NSCLC. What the reader will gain: An overview of the key pathways and mediators of tumor angiogenesis, their relevance to the pathogenesis of NSCLC, and an update on the current status of angiogenesis inhibitors in NSCLC. Take home message: Angiogenesis is a key mediator of NSCLC progression. Several antiangiogenic strategies are in clinical use and under development. While candidate predictive biomarkers of response to antiangiogenic therapy exist, they await independent and prospective validation.