Mechanisms of disease: angiogenesis and the management of breast cancer

Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2007 Sep;4(9):536-50. doi: 10.1038/ncponc0905.

Abstract

Demonstration of the clinically significant activity of bevacizumab in breast cancer has attracted a great deal of interest. Numerous other antiangiogenic treatments are in clinical development and some established therapies including tamoxifen and trastuzumab might function, in part, by suppressing angiogenesis. In this Review, we discuss the potential of various components of the angiogenic pathway as prognostic and predictive factors in breast cancer. In addition, we describe existing clinical trials of antiangiogenic agents and the challenges facing the clinical development and optimum use of these agents for the treatment of breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor