Limitations of Anti-Angiogenic Treatment of Tumors

Overview

Journal Transl Oncol

Specialty Oncology

Date 2019 May 24

PMID 31121490

Citations 60

Authors

Domenico Ribatti

Tiziana Annese

Simona Ruggieri

Roberto Tamma

Enrico Crivellato

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Clinical trials using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor /(VEGF) molecules induce a modest improvement in overall survival, measurable in weeks to just a few months, and tumors respond differently to these agents. In this review article, we have exposed some tumor characteristics and processes that may impair the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic approaches, including genotypic changes on endothelial cells, the vascular normalization phenomenon, and the vasculogenic mimicry. The usage of anti-angiogenic molecules leads to hypoxic tumor microenvironment which enhances tumor invasiveness. The role of tumor-infiltrating cells, including tumor associated macrophages and fibroblasts (TAMs and TAFs) in the therapeutic response to anti-angiogenic settings was also highlighted. Finally, among the new therapeutic approaches to target tumor vasculature, anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy sensitizing and prolonging the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy, have been discussed.

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