The potential role of antivascular therapy in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of cancer.

Antivascular therapy may be considered as one of the most promising approaches in the treatment of cancer. Antivascular treatment may be divided in antiangiogenesis and vascular targeting. Antiangiogenic therapy prevents neovascularization by inhibiting proliferation, migration, and/or differentiation of endothelial cells. Vascular targeting is directed at the existing tumor vasculature. Several inhibitors of angiogenesis are currently being tested in clinical cancer trials. The challenge for the next decade is to incorporate antivascular approaches into conventional treatment strategies. This review will summarize the conceptual basis of antivascular therapy and discuss the potential role of these agents in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and perioperative treatment of cancer.