Abstract

The development of new blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is crucial in cancer progression and metastasis due to its ability to allow the establishment of tumor cells at secondary sites. Because avascular tumors are unable to grow larger or metastasize without sufficient blood supply, avascular tumors are severely restricted in potential. Factors that regulate transcription in cancer angiogenesis and metastasis include those that enhance and inhibit those pathways. Common pathways include the VEGF signaling pathway in angiogenesis and the c-Myb inhibitory transcription factor in metastasis. As a result, targeting these transcription factors may be a valuable approach to improving the prognosis for cancer patients. This review evaluates the role of transcription factors in angiogenesis and metastasis, and the therapeutic potential of targeting these transcription factors.