Antiangiogenesis

This chapter discusses the finding of tumors that depend on angiogenesis for sustained growth that has prompted intense investigation into the biology of angiogenesis, and the pharmacology of anti-angiogenic agents. Angiogenesis refers to the growth of new capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels. This process is required for a variety of physiologic processes, including normal growth and development, reproduction, and wound healing. These efforts have brought anti-angiogenesis to clinical trials for patients with cancer, and offer promise for non-neoplastic diseases, including arthritis, and several causes of blindness. Exponential progress in the field of molecular analysis, and diagnostics is likely to enhance understanding of the basic biology of angiogenesis, and its inhibition. Meanwhile, the results of the ongoing clinical trials discussed in the chapter are eagerly anticipated. Further study into the use of anti-angiogenic agents as a part of multimodality therapy, the administration of adjuvant antiangiogenic therapy, and the clinical development of antiangiogenic gene therapy, helps to define the role antiangiogenesis that have in the armamentarium of the clinician.