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Updated: May 25, 2026
Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice
Published on: January 19, 2018
Tumor vasculature as a therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer
1Division of Medical Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. bar.jair@gmail.com
Introduction:
We aim to describe the molecular mechanisms relevant to angiogenesis inhibition and to critically evaluate the current evidence for the use of angiogenic inhibitors (AIs) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods:
The literature on the basic concepts of tumor angiogenesis is reviewed. Published articles and major lung cancer conference abstracts were screened for reports on the use of AI in NSCLC patients and the National Institutes of Health clinical trials database was searched for relevant ongoing studies.
Results:
We delineate in this review the molecular and cellular aspects of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and outline the relevance of these to lung cancer. Clinical studies of AIs in NSCLC reported to date as well ongoing studies are summarized. Major issues discussed include the choice of the right molecular target; characteristics of various tyrosine kinase inhibitors; potential drawbacks and concerns regarding the application of AIs in clinical practice, and major unanswered questions and future directions.
Conclusions:
AIs have antitumor activity in NSCLC and have become part of the standard of care for patients with advanced nonsquamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the gains have been modest and robust predictive biomarkers are urgently needed. Clinical trials to date have validated the tumor vasculature as a legitimate target, and as our understanding of the biology of tumor angiogenesis increases, exciting new therapeutic approaches are being explored.
Insights
Angiogenic inhibitors (AIs) show antitumor activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but modest gains necessitate biomarkers. Tumor vasculature is a validated target for novel NSCLC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Tumor angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for cancer growth and metastasis.
- Angiogenic inhibitors (AIs) target this process to impede tumor progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis inhibition.
- To evaluate the evidence for AIs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of basic tumor angiogenesis concepts.
- Screening of published articles and conference abstracts on AI use in NSCLC.
- Search of NIH clinical trials database for ongoing studies.
Main Results:
- Delineation of molecular and cellular aspects of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in lung cancer.
- Summary of completed and ongoing clinical studies of AIs in NSCLC.
- Discussion of target selection, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, drawbacks, and future directions.
Conclusions:
- AIs demonstrate antitumor activity and are standard care for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.
- Modest efficacy highlights the urgent need for predictive biomarkers.
- Tumor vasculature is a validated target, with ongoing research exploring new therapeutic avenues.
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