The Role of Angiogenesis in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB), a common pediatric neoplasm arising from neural crest cells, is characterized by a diversity of clinical behavior ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid tumor progression and death. Biologic and genetic factors have been identified which, to a certain extent, can predict prognosis and guide risk-based therapy. Recent research has focused on the role of angiogenesis in NB tumor biology and in determining clinical phenotype. Preclinical studies have explored the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapies as a novel treatment modality for children with NB. This review discusses the current understanding of angiogenesis in NB, the clinical implications, and future directions for antiangiogenic therapeutic strategies in NB.