title: Targeting angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment in metastatic colorectal cancer: role of aflibercept.
abstract: In the last decades, we have progressively observed an improvement in therapeutic options for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment with a progressive prolongation of survival. mCRC prognosis still remains poor with low percentage of 5-year survival. Targeted agents have improved results obtained with standard chemotherapy. Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasization and it has been investigated as a potential target for mCRC treatment. Accordingly, novel antiangiogenic targeted agents bevacizumab, regorafenib, and aflibercept have been approved for mCRC treatment as the result of several phase III randomized trials. The development of a tumor permissive microenvironment via the aberrant expression by tumor cells of paracrine factors alters the tumor-stroma interactions inducing an expansion of proangiogenic signals. Recently, the VELOUR study showed that addition of aflibercept to FOLFIRI regimen as a second-line therapy for mCRC improved significantly OS, PFS, and RR. This molecule represents a valid second-line therapeutic option and its peculiar ability to interfere with placental growth factor (PlGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) axis makes it effective in targeting angiogenesis, inflammatory cells and in overcoming resistances to anti-angiogenic first-line treatment. Here, we discuss about Aflibercept peculiar ability to interfere with tumor microenvironment and angiogenic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore di Gesù Fatebenefratelli, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9310-1075
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore di Gesù Fatebenefratelli, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Febbraro
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore di Gesù Fatebenefratelli, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venditti
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore di Gesù Fatebenefratelli, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campidoglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Federico II University, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Nunzio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olivieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raieta
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Pathology, "G.B. Rossi" Hospital, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3315-4327
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parcesepe
authors.affiliation: Fifth Division of General Surgery and Special Surgical Techniques, Second University of Studies of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giusy Carmen
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Imbriani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, "Mater Salutis" Hospital, 37045 Legnago, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Remo
authors.affiliation: Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6589-5560
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pancione