Tumour vascularisation: a druggable target

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2009 Apr;9(2):96-101. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2008.10.004. Epub 2008 Dec 4.

Abstract

Tumour growth, spreading and metastasis require the development of a local vasculature. There have been great advances in the understanding of how this new vasculature arises, particularly in our increased knowledge of the process of angiogenesis, Although, a vast number of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic mediators have been identified, one of the key signalling processes in the development of the tumour vasculature is the hypoxia-induced stimulation of vascular endothelial cell growth factors (VEGFs) production. Anti-VEGF therapy therefore not only provides a new paradigm for limiting tumour growth via targeting angiogenesis, but also provides prototypic agents to test the hypothesis that by controlling the development of the tumour vasculature we are able to limit, and potentially stop, tumour growth and spreading.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / metabolism*
  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Thrombosis / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / physiology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A