The role of CXC chemokines in the regulation of angiogenesis in association with lung cancer

Recent evidence demonstrates that members of the CXC chemokine family can act as either angiogenic or angiostatic factors, depending on the presence of the ELR (Glu-Leu-Arg) motif in their NH2 terminus. As such, these molecules have been shown to regulate tumor growth and metastasis in an animal model of human non-small cell lung cancer. ELR-positive members (for example, IL-8) are tumor-derived proteins that promote tumor growth and metastasis. Conversely, ELR-negative members (for example, IP-10 and MIG) are endogenous factors that inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. The levels of these factors in human tumor specimens may have predictive value for determining which patients are at risk for developing metastasis, and alteration of these CXC chemokine levels may provide a therapeutic intervention. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc.