Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells
Published on: November 23, 2014
Antiangiogenic drugs in non-small cell lung cancer treatment
Tina Cascone1, Teresa Troiani, Maria Pia Morelli
1Cattedra di Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento Medico-Chirurgico di Internistica Clinica e Sperimentale F Magrassi e A Lanzara, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
Purpose Of Review:
A promising therapeutic target is the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway - a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis - which is important in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. This review focuses on the available clinical data on drugs targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor - vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Recent Findings:
The therapeutic value of inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway has been demonstrated by using drugs that prevent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor binding and by using drugs that inhibit receptor activation. Two antiangiogenic drugs exemplify these mechanisms: bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA), a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts by binding and neutralizing vascular endothelial growth factor; and ZD6474 (Zactima; AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK), a small-molecule inhibitor of vascular growth factor receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Recently, the first results of a large, phase III randomized clinical trial of bevacizumab in combination with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy have been reported in patients with nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.
Summary:
The inhibition of tumor angiogenesis is a key therapeutic strategy that holds great promise for the advancement of metastatic lung cancer therapy. The combination of bevacizumab and conventional chemotherapy could offer a new therapeutic option in selected non-small cell lung cancer histotypes.
Insights
Inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway shows promise for treating non-small cell lung cancer. Combining bevacizumab with chemotherapy may offer a new option for specific patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is crucial for tumor angiogenesis, influencing cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis.
- Targeting the VEGF pathway presents a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Purpose of the Study:
- This review synthesizes available clinical data on drugs targeting the VEGF-VEGF receptor pathway for NSCLC treatment.
- To evaluate the efficacy and potential of anti-VEGF therapies in managing NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data for drugs targeting the VEGF pathway.
- Focus on bevacizumab and ZD6474 as exemplars of VEGF pathway inhibition.
- Analysis of recent Phase III trial results for bevacizumab in combination chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of VEGF receptor binding and receptor activation demonstrates therapeutic value.
- Bevacizumab (monoclonal antibody) and ZD6474 (small-molecule inhibitor) represent key drugs in this class.
- Phase III trial results for bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy in nonsquamous NSCLC are now available.
Conclusions:
- Inhibiting tumor angiogenesis is a vital strategy for advancing metastatic lung cancer therapy.
- Combination therapy with bevacizumab and chemotherapy may provide a new treatment option for selected NSCLC histotypes.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
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...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:10Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...