Abstract
Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis and is a promising target in the search for new anti-neoplastic agents. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process dependent on the complex interplay between inhibitory and stimulatory angiogenic factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor is one of the best characterized of the pro-angiogenic growth factors, and multiple strategies have been developed to inhibit this pathway. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody developed against vascular endothelial growth factor, has shown initial preclinical and clinical activity. This review will outline the conceptual basis of anti-angiogenic therapy, discuss the critical role of vascular endothelial growth factor, and summarize the available data on the use of bevacizumab in colorectal cancer.
Copyright 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
-
Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
-
Animals
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacokinetics
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
-
Bevacizumab
-
Clinical Trials as Topic
-
Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
-
Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
-
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
-
Endothelial Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism
-
Humans
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
-
Lymphokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
Lymphokines / metabolism
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Substances
-
Angiogenesis Inhibitors
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
-
Endothelial Growth Factors
-
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
-
Lymphokines
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
-
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
-
Bevacizumab