Anti-angiogenic drugs

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the formation of neo-vessels, is a physiological event but is involved in various pathological conditions including cancers. Thus, the establishment of effective anti-angiogenic treatment has long been a goal. The recent development of bevacizumab, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against VEGF, as the first anti-angiogenic drug, validated the clinical benefit of the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. Thereafter, various drugs targeting VEGF-mediated signals have been developed to control tumor angiogenesis. Anti-angiogenic therapy is now considered a major step forward in cancer treatment at the clinical level.