The angiogenic switch molecule, secreted FGF-binding protein, an indicator of early stages of pancreatic and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Tumor angiogenesis has been related to the initiation as well as progression toward more aggressive behavior of human tumors. We will discuss genetic events underlying the initiation and progression of colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma with a particular focus on the modulation of angiogenesis. A secreted fibroblast growth factor (FGF) binding protein (FGF-BP), which is an extracellular chaperone molecule for FGFs, has been shown to enhance FGF-mediated biochemical and biologic events and to be a crucial rate-limiting factor for tumor-dependent angiogenesis. Histochemical and in situ hybridization studies with archival samples show that FGF-BP is induced early during the initiation of colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We will discuss the potential of this secreted protein as a serum marker to identify at-risk subjects.