Antiangiogenesis: the fifth cancer treatment modality?

Dawn Camp-Sorrell1

  • 1Central Alabama Oncology Associates, Alabaster, AL, USA. onpdawn@aol.com

Oncology Nursing Forum
|November 7, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antiangiogenesis therapy, which inhibits blood vessel formation, shows promise in preventing cancer metastasis. Further clinical trials are needed to optimize this approach, especially when combined with existing cancer treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Angiogenesis is the biological process of new blood vessel formation.
  • Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the process of angiogenesis.
  • To explore the potential of antiangiogenesis therapy in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published articles and conference proceedings.
  • Analysis of computerized databases for relevant research.

Main Results:

  • Antiangiogenic agents block blood vessel development, potentially inhibiting cancer metastasis.
  • Clinical trials are investigating combinations of antiangiogenesis therapy with chemotherapy, biotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Animal studies suggest antiangiogenesis is a viable cancer treatment strategy.
  • Preliminary human studies show promising results, particularly in combination therapies.
  • Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients and collecting data for clinical trials.

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...