ROLE OF ANGIOGENESIS AND MICROVASCULAR DENSITY IN TUMOR PROGRESSION OF COLORECTAL CANCER

Abstract

Colorectal cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally. Although advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy have improved survival rates, disease recurrence and metastasis remain common. Angiogenesis is essential for tumor expansion beyond 2–3 mm in diameter, providing oxygen and nutrients while facilitating tumor cell dissemination. The assessment of MVD and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34 expression has therefore become an integral part of cancer biology and prognostic evaluation. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is a fundamental biological process driving tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). Microvascular density (MVD), a quantitative measure of angiogenic activity, has emerged as a critical prognostic biomarker reflecting tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential. This extended abstract discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms of angiogenesis in CRC, the clinical significance of MVD and related molecular markers, and their potential implications for targeted anti-angiogenic therapies.