Targeting angiogenesis in the treatment of lung cancer.

Inhibition of angiogenesis now plays a central role in the management of many malignancies. Angiogenesis plays an important role in lung cancer and increasing numbers of antiangiogenesis agents are being investigated in all types of pulmonary malignancies. The monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, has demonstrated efficacy (improved response rates and overall survival) in phase II and III trials in combination with standard first-line chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. However patients in the large phase III studies were highly selected to reduce the risk of fatal hemoptysis. Many small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, particularly sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, and cediranib, are currently being investigated in phase III trials as monotherapy or in combination with standard therapy. Alternative antiangiogenesis approaches such as vascular endothelial growth factor-trap and anticoagulation are also being investigated. Targeting angiogenesis is an exciting and attractive area in the treatment of lung cancer, and the results of ongoing trials are eagerly awaited. More work is required to identify subgroups of patients most likely to benefit from these drugs.