Antiangiogenesis agents in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas

Cancer. 2010 Mar 1;116(5):1177-83. doi: 10.1002/cncr.24859.

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that includes >50 different subtypes, each with unique clinical and pathologic qualities. In general, there is a 50% cure rate, and most cures are achieved with complete surgical resection with or without radiation therapy. The results from chemotherapeutic agents for unresectable or metastatic disease have been disappointing with minimal long-term benefit. New targeted and novel agents are needed to improve response and survival. Tumor angiogenesis has been an intense focus in cancer therapy over the past decade. Several of numerous antiangiogenesis agents have been developed, and many already have been approved for the treatment of both solid and liquid tumors. Certain STSs are highly vascular tumors that often demonstrate angiogenesis markers. The objective of this review was to evaluate these angiogenesis markers in defining the role of angiogenesis in the treatment of patients with STS. In addition, the authors conducted an in-depth review of the results from using key antiangiogenesis agents in the treatment of STS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Sarcoma / blood supply
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Taxoids / therapeutic use
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Taxoids
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Thalidomide
  • MTOR protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases