Angiogenesis in metastatic colorectal cancer and the benefits of targeted therapy

The diverse pathways and molecules involved in angiogenesis, the formation of new bloodvessels, have been targeted for the treatment of colorectal and other cancers. Vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A binding to VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 is believed to bethe key signaling pathway mediating angiogenesis. Other VEGF pathways involved inangiogenesis include VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor binding to VEGFR-1,and VEGF-C and VEGF-D binding to VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF signaling alsointersects with other pathways, including angiopoietin/Tie, Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor,and integrin pathways. The roles of these pathways in tumor angiogenesis and in varioushuman cancers will be explored in this article. In addition, preclinical and clinical data onbevacizumab, aflibercept (known as ziv-aflibercept in the US), and investigationalantiangiogenic agents in development for the treatment of colorectal and other cancers will bereviewed.

via Journal of Hematology & Oncology