Identification and validation of new therapeutic targets directed towards tumour vascular-matrix interactions

Solid tumour growth depends on a continuous supply of nutrients by new blood vessels that grow into the tumour. This process, termed "tumour angiogenesis" is regulated by a number of complex factors involving both tumour and host cells. How the tumours co mmunicate with the normal cells to produce blood vessels has during the last years gained increasing attention and it has recently been shown that targeting the host vasculature has a therapeutic potential for certain tumours.. The integrated project "Ang iotargeting" focus on the identification of novel genes and gene products that regulate tumour angiogenesis and on validating such products as therapeutic targets. In addition, novel therapeutic strategies will be evaluated in preclinical models as well a s in the clinic. Angiotargeting will therefore open new avenues in the search for new therapeutic compounds towards malignant disease. The concept of treating genetically stable vascular cells, rather than drifting tumour cells, has gained increasing acc eptance in the scientific community. It is essential that European research centers co-ordinate their research efforts within this promising area of science and that innovations within the field of angiogenesis are supported at the European level. The co nsortium of Angiotargeting is particularly contributing to the knowledge base for the development of the European biotechnology industry within the field of angiogenesis. Angiotargeting represents an added value on a range of aspects related to integrati on of research in Europe by combining some of the most qualified research groups and establishing a European based strategy for treatment of cancer targeting the tumour vascular supply. Angiotargeting combines front-line knowledge of basic and clinical research involving global gene and protein analyses, stem cell research, physiological mechanisms, advanced animal model systems, molecular imaging and clinical research.