Inhibition of mast cell tryptase activity. A new therapeutic target against malignancy induced angiogenesis

Abstract Over a long period of time, the impact of inhibiting angiogenesis as an option to treat malignancies, has been uncertain. Since the introduction of bevacizumab in the therapy of colorectal cancer, the mechanism and understanding of angiogenesis have become an important module in cancer treatment. Here we describe a new way of inhibiting angiogenesis: Mast cells and their including enzymes like tryptase display a crucial role in various types of lymphoma and solid tumors. In the past, tryptase inhibitors were clinically investigated regarding for example the treatment of allergic asthma or ulcerative colitis. We hypothesize that the use of tryptase inhibitors may broaden the treatment options in terms of malignancies with a histologically proven mast cell associated angiogenesis.