Journal of neuro-oncology
-
Journal of neuro-oncology · Oct 2000
ReviewAnti-angiogenic treatment strategies for malignant brain tumors.
The use of angiogenesis inhibitors may offer novel strategies in brain tumor therapy. In contrast to traditional cancer treatments that attack tumor cells directly, angiogenesis inhibitors target at the formation of tumor-feeding blood vessels that provide continuous supply of nutrients and oxygen. With respect to brain tumor therapy, inhibitors of angiogenesis display unique features that are unknown to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. ⋯ In a clinical setting, they could be applied in the treatment of multiple tumors or postsurgically as an adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence. This article provides an overview of current anti-angiogenic treatment strategies with emphasis on substances already in clinical trials or candidate substances for clinical trials. The cellular and molecular basis of these substances is reviewed.