title: Role of angiogenesis inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia.
abstract: Neovascularization is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies as well as solid tumors. The complex interactions between several cell types and numerous cytokine mediators suggest the involvement of autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanisms. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in particular is critical to both stimulation of leukemic growth and proliferation of endothelial cells. Tyrosine kinase receptors specific for certain growth factors represent attractive target molecules for anticancer therapy. SU5416 is a competitive inhibitor of VEGF receptor subtypes VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 and stem cell factor receptor c-kit. Preclinical evidence shows that SU5416 effectively inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and slows growth of subcutaneous solid tumor xenografts. This agent is in late-stage clinical trials in patients with solid tumors, and a Phase 2 study was recently initiated to evaluate its utility in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In this Phase 2 study, investigators are seeking to determine the response rate to the antiangiogenic agent SU5416. Translational research in this study is intended to aid our understanding of the precise mechanisms by which SU5416 affects acute myeloid leukemia cells and the bone marrow microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Eppendorf, Department of Oncology/Hematology, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fiedler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Staib
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuse
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dührsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flasshove
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Hossfeld
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berdel
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D007211:Indoles; D008222:Lymphokines; D011758:Pyrroles; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C116890:Semaxinib