Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice
08:52

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice

Published on: January 19, 2018

Two-domain vascular disruptive agents in cancer therapy

Stanislaw Szala1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of Oncology Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Institute, 44-101 Gliwice, Poland. sszala@io.gliwice.pl

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|September 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Novel two-domain vascular drug constructs selectively target and eliminate tumor endothelial cells. This approach causes tumor cell death through oxygen deprivation, offering a potent new strategy in cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tumor vasculature presents a unique target for anti-cancer therapies.
  • Current anti-angiogenic strategies aim to inhibit tumor growth but can be overcome by cancer cells.
  • Selective targeting of endothelial cells offers a direct cytotoxic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the construction and properties of two-domain vascular disruptive agents.
  • To highlight the modular assembly of these novel anti-cancer agents.
  • To compare their potential efficacy against existing anti-cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Designing constructs with a recognition domain for endothelial cell markers (antibody variable regions or ligands).
  • Incorporating an effector domain using clotting proteins, toxins, cytokines, isotopes, or pro-apoptotic factors.
  • Discussing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.

Main Results:

  • Two-domain constructs demonstrate selective targeting and elimination of tumor endothelial cells.
  • Disruption of tumor vasculature leads to neoplastic cell necrosis.
  • These agents exhibit modular assembly, allowing for versatile construction.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular disruptive agents offer a potent cytotoxic strategy, distinct from anti-angiogenesis.
  • Their modularity facilitates the development of tailored anti-cancer therapeutics.
  • Combination therapy with existing anti-cancer drugs may enhance treatment effectiveness.

More Related Videos

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment04:48

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment

Published on: January 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
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...
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...
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...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...