Antiangiogenic therapy for high-grade gliomas: current concepts and limitations. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Bonis, Pasquale; Marziali, Giammaria; Vigo, Vera; Peraio, Simone; Pompucci, Angelo; Anile, Carmelo; Mangiola, Annunziato
• Is Part Of: Expert review of neurotherapeutics. Volume 13:Number 11(2013)
• Page Start: 1263
• Page End: 1270
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: angiogenesis -- glioblastoma -- peritumor tissue -- VEGF -- trials -- tumor resistance; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.7805
• DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2013.856264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7175

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is associated with a high degree of angiogenesis. Therefore, antiangiogenic therapy could have a role in the treatment of this tumor. The currently available treatment approaches acting against angiogenesis are mainly directed toward three pathways: VEGF pathway, VEGF-independent pathways and inhibition of vascular endothelial cell migration. It has been demonstrated that antiangiogenic therapy can produce a rapid radiological response and a decrease of brain edema, without significantly influencing survival. Future studies should consider that: animal models are inadequate and cells used for animal models (mainly U87) are deeply different from patient GBM cells; GBM cells may become resistant to antiangiogenic therapy and some cells may be resistant to antiangiogenic therapy ab initio; and angiogenesis in the peritumor tissue has been poorly investigated. Therefore, the ideal target of angiogenesis is probably yet to be identified.