Molecular targets in the inhibition of angiogenesis

Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2003 Aug;7(4):527-41. doi: 10.1517/14728222.7.4.527.

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the process of blood vessel formation, is crucial for malignant tumour growth and metastases; therefore, it has become an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Theoretically applicable to most solid tumours, this therapy may be advantageous over existing cytotoxic therapy, since it is directed at genetically stable endothelium growing within tumours rather than at malignant cells, which acquire resistance to treatment. Many promising angiogenesis inhibitors have been developed, although their activity has yet to be demonstrated in human clinical trials. To improve therapeutic benefit, this may require further insight into tumour angiogenesis, development of appropriate surrogate markers of activity, treatment of early stage neoplastic disease and probably a combination of different classes of antiangiogenesis agents to overcome redundant mechanisms of angiogenesis control.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Angiogenic Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Angiogenic Proteins / physiology
  • Angiopoietins / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Design*
  • Endostatins / pharmacology
  • Endostatins / therapeutic use
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Humans
  • Integrins / physiology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / physiology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Platelet Factor 4 / physiology
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protease Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Receptors, TIE / drug effects
  • Receptors, TIE / physiology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Thalidomide / pharmacology
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Thrombospondins / physiology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Angiogenic Proteins
  • Angiopoietins
  • Endostatins
  • Integrins
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thrombospondins
  • Platelet Factor 4
  • Thalidomide
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptors, TIE
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases