ASA404: update on drug development.
BACKGROUND
Interrupting tumour blood flow and delivery of nutrients to cause tumour death is the aim of antiangiogenic and vascular disrupting agents (VDAs). ASA404 is the first VDA to enter Phase III trials.


OBJECTIVE
We review the preclinical and clinical data on this interesting agent and consider its place in modern therapeutics.


METHODS
PubMed database was searched for 'ASA404', 'AS1404', 'DMXAA', 'vascular disrupting agents', 'ASA404 clinical trials', 'AS1404 clinical trials', 'DMXAA clinical trials'.


CONCLUSIONS
ASA404 is a tumour VDA that is well tolerated and has shown promise in the treatment of NSCLC in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin. A confirmatory Phase III trial is currently ongoing.
Rehman
Farah
F
Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2RN, UK.
Rustin
Gordon
G
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D044004:Xanthones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D044004:Xanthones; C066668:vadimezan