Antiangiogenic agents and their promising potential in combined therapy

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 155 - 171
• Main Authors: Burke, Patricia A, DeNardo, Sally J
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - pharmacology; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Antiangiogenic therapy; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Combined treatments (chemotherapy of immunotherapy associated with an other treatment); Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Humans; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Radioimmunotherapy; Angiogenesis; Antiangiogenic therapy; Radioimmunotherapy; Cancer; Human; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Animal; Immunotherapy; Immunoradiotherapy; Monoclonal antibody; Review; Malignant tumor; Radiotherapy; Antiangiogenic agent
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/S1040-8428(01)00115-9

One of the most promising strategies for treating cancer is the addition of antiangiogenic therapy to therapeutic regimens. Angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, is essential both for the growth of a primary tumor and for successful metastasis. As a result of intense research in this field, a number of antiangiogenic agents have been identified and have demonstrated varying degrees of success in inhibiting the growth of solid tumors and metastases in preclinical and clinical studies. The real potential of antiangiogenic agents for cancer therapy resides in strategic combinations with each other, with chemotherapy, with radiation, and with tumor-targeting agents, such as radioimmunotherapy. Along with this new opportunity to develop synergistic therapy comes the challenging complexities of the physiologic systems regulating angiogenesis. These multifaceted systems could intimidate investigators seeking to take advantage of the potential synergy in combined cancer therapy. To aid in these efforts, this overview of key antiangiogenic agent mechanisms, combination strategies and initial studies of the potential synergy with chemotherapy, radiation and radioimmunotherapy is presented.