Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
New ways to successfully target tumor vasculature in ovarian cancer
Xiaoyun Yang1, Fangrong Shen, Wei Hu
1aDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine bDepartment of Cancer Biology cCenter for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNAs dDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA *Xiaoyun Yang and Fangrong Shen contributed equally to the writing of the article.
Purpose Of Review:
The aim of this article was to review the recent literature on potential therapeutic strategies for overcoming resistance to antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs in ovarian cancer.
Recent Findings:
Although clinical benefits of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy were observed in ovarian cancer treatment trials, this use yielded only modest improvement in progression-free survival and, with the exception of cediranib, no effect on overall survival. Adaptive resistance and escape from antiangiogenesis therapy is likely a multifactorial process, including induction of hypoxia, vascular modulators, and immune response. New drugs targeting the tumor vasculature or other components of the surrounding microenvironment have shown promising results.
Summary:
When to start and end antiangiogenesis therapy and the choice of optimal treatment combinations remain controversial. Further evaluation of personalized novel angiogenesis-based therapy is warranted. Defining the critical interaction of these agents and pathways and the appropriate predictive markers will become an increasingly important objective for effective treatment.
Insights
Overcoming resistance to antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs in ovarian cancer is crucial. New therapies targeting tumor vasculature and microenvironment show promise for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Angiogenesis Inhibition
Background:
- Antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy offers clinical benefits in ovarian cancer.
- However, its efficacy is limited by adaptive resistance mechanisms.
- This resistance involves hypoxia, vascular modulation, and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on therapeutic strategies for overcoming resistance to anti-VEGF drugs in ovarian cancer.
- To explore novel approaches for enhancing antiangiogenesis therapy effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on ovarian cancer treatment.
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies addressing anti-VEGF drug resistance.
- Evaluation of emerging drugs targeting tumor vasculature and microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Anti-VEGF therapy provides modest improvements in progression-free survival but limited impact on overall survival.
- Adaptive resistance is a complex process involving multiple biological pathways.
- New drugs targeting tumor vasculature and microenvironment demonstrate promising results.
Conclusions:
- Optimal timing and combinations for antiangiogenesis therapy remain debated.
- Personalized, novel angiogenesis-based therapies require further investigation.
- Identifying predictive markers and understanding drug-pathway interactions are key for effective treatment.
