[Development of antiangiogenic chemotherapy regimens]

Research in tumor angiogenesis is making rapid progress. It was recently confirmed that tumors utilize both vasculogenesis and existing blood vessels for angiogenesis, and angiogenesis has become a molecular target of new cancer therapies. Numerous inhibitors of angiogenesis have been developed and clinical trials conducted. However, problems such as side effects and the appropriate design of clinical trials have been noted, and the development of some inhibitors has stalled. Therefore more time and study will be required before clinical application of angiogenesis inhibitors is feasible. Trials combining existing chemotherapeutic regimens with angiogenesis inhibitors is feasible. Trials combining existing chemotherapeutic regimens with angiogenesis inhibitors, i.e., antiangiogenic chemotherapy, are underway in which low-dose anticancer and antiangiogenic agents are administered daily over the long term, and the results are awaited.