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New vascular disrupting agents in upper gastrointestinal malignancies

A E Quatrale, L Porcelli, A Gnoni

  • 1Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre - Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II Viale O. Flacco, 65 70125 Bari, Italy. a.azzariti@oncologico.bari.it.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

New cancer therapies called vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) target tumor blood vessels, causing rapid tumor cell death. This review highlights VDAs, including combretastatin analogues, for treating various cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Antivascular approaches target tumor vasculature, exploiting its instability.
  • Tumor vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) induce rapid vessel collapse, leading to tumor necrosis.
  • These agents offer a novel therapeutic strategy for malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recently developed vascular disrupting agents (VDAs).
  • To focus on the biological effects of VDAs on endothelial cells and tumor vasculature.
  • To assess the potential of VDAs in treating upper gastrointestinal tumors and other malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in vascular disrupting agents.
  • Analysis of biological effects on endothelial cells and tumor vasculature.
  • Focus on specific antimitotic and colchicine analogues.

Main Results:

  • VDAs induce rapid tumor vascular shutdown and extensive tumor cell death.
  • Ischemic or hemorrhagic necrosis follows blood and oxygen deprivation.
  • Combretastatin analogues (e.g., combretastatin A-4-phosphate, OXI4503, AVE8062) and ZD6126 are highlighted.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular disrupting agents represent a promising class of cancer therapeutics.
  • These agents show potential efficacy in treating various malignancies, including upper gastrointestinal tumors.
  • Further research into VDA mechanisms and clinical applications is warranted.

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