title: Angiogenesis and antiangiogenic agents in cervical cancer.
abstract: Standard treatment of cervical cancer (CC) consists of surgery in the early stages and of chemoradiation in locally advanced disease. Metastatic CC has a poor prognosis and is usually treated with palliative platinum-based chemotherapy. Current chemotherapeutic regimens are associated with significant adverse effects and only limited activity, making identification of active and tolerable novel targeted agents a high priority. Angiogenesis is a complex process that plays a crucial role in the development of many types of cancer. The dominant role of angiogenesis in CC seems to be directly related to human papillomavirus-related inhibition of p53 and stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. Both of these mechanisms are able to increase expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Activation of VEGF promotes endothelial cell proliferation and migration, favoring formation of new blood vessels and increasing permeability of existing blood vessels. Since bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody binding to all isoforms of VEGF, has been demonstrated to significantly improve survival in gynecologic cancer, some recent clinical research has explored the possibility of using novel therapies directed toward inhibition of angiogenesis in CC too. Here we review the main results from studies concerning the use of antiangiogenic drugs that are being investigated for the treatment of CC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomao
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Anselmo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zaccarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zoratto
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Benedetti Panici
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Oncology Unit, ICOT, Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Silverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomao
keywords: angiogenesis; bevacizumab; cervical cancer; human papillomavirus; target therapies