Novel Therapies: Anti-Angiogenisis
Tumor angiogenesis is the proliferation of a network of blood vessels that penetrates into cancerous growths, supplying nutrients and oxygen and removing waste products. Tumor angiogenesis actually starts with cancerous tumor cells releasing molecules that send signals to surrounding normal host tissue. This signaling activates certain genes in the host tissue that, in turn, make proteins to encourage growth of new blood vessels.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors are drugs that block the development of new blood vessels, the process known as angiogenesis.
By blocking the development of new blood vessels, researchers hope to cut off the tumor's supply of oxygen and nutrients. This in turn might stop the tumor from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
Additional Information
Celecoxib may have antitumor properties in MM and provide a rationale for the therapeutic use of celecoxib in combination with a selective VEGF inhibitor. More...
Research Shows Anti-Cancer Drug is Safe (Veglin) (7/15/04)
Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have reported that the anti-angiogenesis drug they developed - called Veglin - not only is safe for patients with a wide variety of cancers, but also lowers levels of a key protein that tumors need to grow and stabilizes - or even reverses - some cancers for a period. More...
Veglin Phase I Trial Shows Potential in Fighting Angiogenesis and Tumor Progression (6/7/04)
VasGene Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of positive findings from its phase I clinical trial of VEGF-AS (Veglin). The results demonstrate that the anti-angiogenesis drug lowers levels of a key protein required to grow tumors and has shown to be safe in patients with a wide variety of cancers. In addition, Veglin has shown in some instances, the ability to periodically stabilize or reduce tumors in early human clinical trials. More...
Celebrex Inhibits mesothelioma Cell Growth in Lab Studies (5/12/04)
The COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex, usually prescribed for arthritis, has a marked effect on the asbestos-related cancer malignant mesothelioma in lab and animal experiments, according to a report from Italy. More...
New Drugs Starve Cancer Tumors - Chicago Tribune (3/15/04)
Two revolutionary new drugs are in hospital pharmacies this week, a tangible sign that years of research into targeted approaches to fighting cancer are finally paying off, at least in a limited way.
The new drugs are a far cry from the breakthrough that was predicted in 1998, when Nobel laureate James Watson was quoted as saying cancer would be cured "in two years" as a result of laboratory evidence that tumors would vanish if their blood supply was choked off. More...
Next Era of Cancer Therapy Aims to Separate Cancer From Blood Supply (5/19/03)
If all the blood vessels in the body were lined up end-to-end, they would form a line that could circle the earth twice. Yet the body produces still more blood vessels on demand, such as to heal wounds or grow embryos.
This task of forming new blood vessels -a process called angiogenesis - is also critical to the development of cancer. More...
New Cancer Drugs Disappointing (Angiostatin and Endostatin) (5/14/01)
Much-anticipated new drugs intended to stop cancer by cutting off its blood supply show only slight benefit in early testing on terminally ill patients, although experts say the medicines still may prove useful. More...
BioPulse Announces Angiogenesis Cancer Treatment (8/20/00)
Treatments that inhibit angiogenesis are intended to shut off the blood source that feeds tumors, killing them, or at least halting their growth, while leaving the rest of the body unharmed. A successful anti-angiogenesis treatment would make cancer a manageable disease. More...