The 'cord of life' serving antiangiogenic therapy.

摘要

From the original concept proposed by Judah Folkman in 1971, several antiangiogenic drugs were shown to be capable of pruning the tumor vasculature and blocking cancer growth as a result of diminished nutrients' delivery to the tumor. ' The translation of these drugs from mouse to human has revealed their tremendous potential, yet underscores their limitations.2'3 More than 80 antiangiogenic drugs are being tested worldwide in clinical trials, and each year patients with cancer or ocular diseases will be treated with these agents.2'4 Antiangiogenic treatments have shown efficacy in preventing progressive loss of vision and even improving eyesight in ophthalmologic patients.