Antiangiogenic agents in cancer therapy.

There is substantial preclinical and clinical evidence that angiogenesis plays a role in the development of tumors and the progression of malignancies. Inhibiting angiogenesis has been shown to suppress tumor growth and metastasis in many preclinical models. These benefits have translated to the clinic with both marketed and investigational antiangiogenesis agents. The most prominent target of these compounds is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors. However, several other factors are of interest as well. These include integrins, matrix metalloproteinases, and endogenous antiangiogenic factors. Data from late-stage clinical trials support the role of antiangiogenic agents in cancer therapy and the significant role that VEGF plays in angiogenesis. Future research will focus on determining the tumor types and stages that will benefit most from antiangiogenic therapy and combining therapies that target different factors in the angiogenesis pathway.