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Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries, plays a critical role in various tissue physiologic processes such as organ growth and development, wound healing and bone regeneration, as well as in destructive pathologic processes like tumor growth and metastases. In this review, we present the important features of fibrin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) molecule, and describe their role in the up-regulation of angiogenesis balance in the oral tissue regeneration and malignancy. Fibrin stimulates synthesis and secretion of the tissue factor (TF), prostacyclin and interleukin IL-8. In the fibrin molecule, the sequence of β15-42 is responsible for interaction with proteins and growth factors. This is the site where bFGF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1, 3), cytokines and interleukins are bound. These factors induce tumor cell proliferation, promote angiogenesis and oral cancer progression. Basic FGF is also considered as an important factor in the pathogenesis of human periapical lesions. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2008; 49(4): 197-202)

Keywords: angiogenesis, Fibrin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), oral cancer, chronic periapical periodontitis