title: Tumoral angiogenesis and breast cancer.
abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women in Western countries. Tumoral angiogenesis (TA) is essential for the growth and spread of BC cells. There are at least 6 different angiogenic growth factors associated with TA in BC. The major mediator of TA is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a homodimeric heparin-binding glycoprotein. VEGF signals through VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), the major VEGF signalling receptor that mediates sprouting angiogenesis. Recently, different antiangiogenic agents have shown efficacy in the treatment of advanced BC. Bevacizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody against VEGF, in combination with taxanes improves progression-free survival and overall response rate in first-line therapy. Other new antiangiogenic agents, called multi-kinase inhibitors (sunitinib and pazopanib), are under investigation. Finally, a schedule of treatment called metronomic chemotherapy, with antiangiogenic activity, has also demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of advanced BC.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khosravi Shahi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soria Lovelle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pérez Manga
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor