[Characterization of chosen pro-angiogenic factors and anti-angiogenic therapies in ovarian cancer]

Wiad Lek. 2018;71(8):1603-1607.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a neoplasm characterized by notably malignancy. The poor results of treatment result not only from the lack of screening tests making diagnosis possible at an early stage, but also because of the insufficiently effective treatment methods. High hopes are placed in targeted therapies, using agents such as angiogenesis inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors or anticancer vaccines. The aim of the work is to present the latest results of research on antiangiogenic drugs. Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov were used. Antiangiogenic drugs are substances of various structure, the common feature of which is the influence on signaling pathways associated with such factors as VEGF, PDGF or Ang1 / 2. Bevacizumab is an antibody directed against VEGF-A. It is the first anti-angiogenic drug with proven efficacy, expressed in the extension of overall survival. This was demonstrated both in the group of patients with newly diagnosed advanced disease and in the situation of relapse. Other anti-angiogenic agents, such as trebananib, nintedanib or pazopanib, currently have not been proven to possess comparably high efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. There are no known causes of disease progression despite maintenance therapy. The potential for combining bevacizumab with other targeted drugs such as PD-L1 inhibitors is currently being investigated.

Keywords: angiogenesis; anti-angiogenic therapy; bevacizumab; ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab