title: Angiogenesis in malignant melanoma.
abstract: Despite the development of novel therapies, the therapy of malignant melanoma remains challenging. Various studies have shown the vascular system to be pivotal for metastasis in melanoma. Consequently, the effect of various antiangiogenic therapies has been and is being investigated in preclinical and clinical trials. While most studies focus on inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, others are aimed at determining the effect of multikinase inhibitors or the inhibition of angiogenic integrin activity. However, overall survival rates have not significantly improved in clinical trials with antiangiogenic agents. Resistance to anti-VEGF monotherapy has been observed in several studies, especially in malignant melanoma. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) represents a promising candidate molecule for antiangiogenic therapy and the effect of Ang-2 inhibitors is currently being explored in first trials. In melanoma, Ang-2 has been shown to be a marker for metastasis formation and represents an interesting therapeutic target molecule. Future studies are required to analyze the effect of a combined approach, using anti-VEGF and anti-Ang-2, as therapy for malignant melanoma.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergy, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, the state of Baden-Württemberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim at Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Moritz
authors: M
authors: Felcht
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Thomas
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: C586513:ANGPT2 protein, human; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A