Molecular and cellular biomarkers for angiogenesis in clinical oncology

Medical oncologists are increasingly using anti-angiogenic drugs, but identifying the best-suited drug and the optimal dosage and schedule for treatment of patients remain challenging issues. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial progenitors (CEPs) are modulated in a variety of diseases including cancer, and are promising surrogate biomarkers in oncology. Molecular surrogate markers, on the other hand, are more scanty at the present time, because the identification of truly endothelial cell-restricted genes and/or antigens is complex. Here, we discuss the biological and technical facets of the search and validation of new biomarkers for angiogenesis.