Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) is an important mediator of tumor-induced angiogenesis and represents a potential target for innovative anticancer therapy. In several animal models, neutralizing anti-VEGF/VPF antibodies have shown encouraging inhibitory effects on solid tumor growth, ascites formation and metastatic dissemination. Targeting the VEGF signaling pathway by means of VEGF receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitors has shown similar efficacy in animal tumor models. Several of these anti-VEGF therapies are currently being tested in clinical trials in cancer patients. The profiles and effects of the neutralizing anti-VEGF/VPF antibodies and the VEGF receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitors in animal models are reviewed and of the risks and benefits of VEGF blockade by one or the other treatments are discussed.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Endothelial Growth Factors / immunology*
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Endothelial Growth Factors / physiology
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Humans
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Lymphokines / immunology*
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Lymphokines / physiology
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Neoplasms / blood supply*
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Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
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Receptors, Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Receptors, Growth Factor / physiology
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
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Signal Transduction
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Lymphokines
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Receptors, Growth Factor
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Recombinant Proteins
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor