title: Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
abstract: Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis and is a promising target in the search for new anti-neoplastic agents. Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process dependent on the complex interplay between inhibitory and stimulatory angiogenic factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor is one of the best characterized of the pro-angiogenic growth factors, and multiple strategies have been developed to inhibit this pathway. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody developed against vascular endothelial growth factor, has shown initial preclinical and clinical activity. This review will outline the conceptual basis of anti-angiogenic therapy, discuss the critical role of vascular endothelial growth factor, and summarize the available data on the use of bevacizumab in colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Transplantation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Nishan H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.forename: Herbert I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000068258:Bevacizumab