title: Thromboembolic events in patients treated with anti-angiogenic drugs.
abstract: Induction of neo-angiogenesis is a fundamental step in many pathological conditions. The therapeutic value of inhibiting angiogenesis is an interesting area of research in oncology, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) being the most suitable anti-angiogenic target. In the last decade a number of anti-VEGF drugs have demonstrated, especially in combination with standard chemotherapy, clinical efficacy in the treatment of different solid tumor types. As data from clinical trials on anti-VEGF drugs are becoming available, it is increasingly recognized that VEGF, in addition to being a permeability, proliferation, and migration factor, is also a maintenance and protection factor for endothelial cells, being capable of regulating multiple biological functions, i.e. the production of vasoactive mediators and the expression of components of the thrombolytic and coagulation pathways. Consequently, the disturbance of vascular homeostasis by blocking VEGF may lead to endothelial dysfunction and adverse vascular effects, such as venous and arterial thromboembolic events. In preclinical models angiogenesis and the increased expression of VEGF has been associated to altered expression of proinflammatory genes. These genes may be regulated in a biphasic manner, and it is possible that anti-VEGF therapy may disrupt a negative feedback loop that leads to potential in situ thrombus formation. Accordingly, combination treatment with bevacizumab and chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, was recently associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. The present review considers the biological mechanisms and clinical impact of thromboembolic complications during anti-angiogenic treatments in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine & Advanced Biotechnologies, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via della Pisana 235, 00163 Rome, Italy. patrizia.ferroni@sanraffaele.it
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferroni
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Formica
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roselli
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guadagni
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000075202:Contraindications; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000068258:Bevacizumab