Antiangiogenic strategies in breast cancer management.
Angiogenesis is considered one of the key mechanisms of tumour growth and survival. Therefore it represents an ideal pharmaceutical target. Many antiangiogenic agents have been developed so far in several solid tumours and also in breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG) is the main target and both monoclonal antibodies and small molecules belonging to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors directed against VEGF(R) have been developed. Some other therapeutic approaches have shown to exert some antiangiogenic activity, such as hormonal agents, metronomic chemotherapy, bisphosphonates and others. In this paper we provide an introduction of the current data supporting the angiogenesis in breast cancer and a review of the most relevant antiagiogenic therapies which have been investigated so far.
Giovannini
Monica
M
Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Dept, San Raffaele Scientific Institute-University Hospital, Milan, Italy. giovannini.monica@hsr.it
Aldrighetti
Daniela
D
Zucchinelli
Patrizia
P
Belli
Carmen
C
Villa
Eugenio
E
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors