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Antiangiogenic cancer therapy
1Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm S-171 77, Sweden. yihai.cao@mtc.ki.se
Seminars in Cancer Biology
|March 17, 2004
Summary
Tumor blood vessels differ from healthy ones, offering targets for anti-angiogenesis drugs. While promising in mice, clinical trials show mixed results, raising questions about efficacy and application in human cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Tumors develop unique blood vessel networks distinct from normal tissues.
- Tumor vasculature exhibits irregular, leaky architecture and disorganized endothelial cells.
- These aberrant features present potential targets for anti-angiogenesis therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential and challenges of angiogenesis inhibitors in cancer treatment.
- To discuss the discrepancies between preclinical animal models and human clinical trials.
- To address key questions regarding the efficacy and application of anti-angiogenic therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies in animal tumor models.
- Analysis of ongoing and early clinical trial data for angiogenesis inhibitors.
- Discussion of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Angiogenesis inhibitors showed specific tumor vessel inhibition and antitumor effects in mice.
- Over 60 angiogenesis inhibitors are under investigation in human clinical trials.
- Early clinical data have yielded disappointing results, prompting further investigation.
Conclusions:
- The unique tumor vasculature offers a target for selective anti-cancer drug development.
- Significant differences exist between tumor angiogenesis in animal models and human spontaneous tumors.
- Further research is needed to optimize angiogenesis inhibitors for effective cancer therapy, potentially in combination with other treatments.