血管新生阻害療法のがん免疫微小環境における役割

Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancer and has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor biology since the early stages of cancer research. Among the numerous angiogenesis factors, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)is the primary driver of tumor angiogenesis and remains a central target in both basic research and drug development. Recent studies have revealed that VEGF not only promotes tumor growth through the formation of new blood vessels but also significantly impacts the tumor immune microenvironment. VEGF impairs dendritic cell maturation and antigen‒presenting capacity, promotes the mobilization and proliferation of immunosuppressive cell populations such as regulatory T cells and myeloid‒derived suppressor cells, and inhibitis the migration and function of effector T cells within the tumor. These immunomodulatory effects contribute to tumor immune evasion and may also affect the efficacy of immune‒checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This article reviews the effects of anti‒VEGF therapy on tumor immunity, the efficacy of its combination therapy with ICIs, and future prospects, based on findings from preclinical models and clinical studies.