Angiogenesis: A Therapeutic Target for Cancer

The proliferation and metastatic spread of tumor cells depend on the newly developed blood vessels. Vasculature not only provides an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients but also removes waste products or gas exchange. The process of angiogenesis is controlled by various transcriptional factors and growth factors. It has been observed that the discovery of angiogenic inhibitors can help to reduce carcinomas growth. Presently, chemotherapeutic drugs mediated inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), which initiates neovascularization under hypoxic conditions in the tumor, is being investigated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and receptor VEGFR mediated activation of endothelial cells are also inhibited by chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, chemotherapeutic drugs inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways mediated growth of new blood vessels. The aim of this chapter would be to highlight the role of angiogenesis in cancer progression. Furthermore, various anti-cancer therapeutic strategies/trials based upon inhibition of blood vessels would also be discussed.