Targeting angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor small-molecule inhibitors: novel agents with potential in lung cancer.

The treatment of lung cancer remains a significant challenge. Although chemotherapy remains the standard approach, a plateau has been reached in its efficacy. The development of novel targeted agents, particularly those targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor, has given us another approach. Developments with antiangiogenesis agents hold promise as new approaches in lung cancer therapy. Much of the work to date has focused on the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab. In this article we will focus on the tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the VEGF receptors. These compounds, including sunitinib (SU11248; Sutent), vatalanib (PTK787), ZD6474, AZD2171, GW786034, sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), CP-547,632, and AG013736, are still at an early stage of development. We present phase I data (and phase II/III data when available) of these compounds and discuss their potential development in the treatment of lung cancer.