Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London.
The concept of manipulation of the vascular bed to either increase or decrease the number of blood vessels has attracted considerable interest. This review focuses on angiogenesis as a therapeutic target, particularly in the context of cancer and arthritis, as well as on promoting angiogenesis in cardiovascular disease and the healing of bone fractures. Although once touted almost as a panacea for treatment of tumors, as well as other diseases associated with angiogenesis, such as diabetic retinopathy or rheumatoid arthritis, it is now clear that such enthusiasm was somewhat premature. Similarly, some clinical trials of therapeutic angiogenesis for the management of cardiovascular disease have been disappointing. Nevertheless, this exciting field of research holds promise for more targeted therapies.