Coronary Artery Disease: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Fibroblast Growth Factor

In the last few years, there have been rapid advances in the application of angiogenic growth factor therapy to clinical settings. In particular, vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor were evaluated in a number of different trials that explored various forms of delivery (systemic vs local, gene vs protein) in various patient populations. Although all Phase I trials reported unqualified successes, the results of Phase II blinded trials were decidedly mixed, calling into question the entire concept of therapeutic angiogenesis. However, with continuing advances in the basic knowledge of new vessel growth in mature tissues and a better understanding of the various issues involved in patient selection, evaluation, and drug delivery, there is hope that growth factor therapy will take its place among other therapeutic modalities available to the clinician.