Hypoxia, angiogenesis, and lung cancer

Curr Oncol Rep. 2008 Jul;10(4):277-82. doi: 10.1007/s11912-008-0043-6.

Abstract

Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer in America. As a result, novel ways to treat it are needed to improve patient outcomes. A tumor must form new blood vessels to grow and metastasize to distant sites; this angiogenesis is mediated by factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Because it increases VEGF levels, hypoxia has been thought to be a primary trigger of angiogenesis. Tumor hypoxia and higher levels of serum markers of angiogenesis have been associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In recent years, antiangiogenic compounds have been developed and tested in various solid malignancies, including NSCLC, for which bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, was recently approved. Combinations of antiangiogenic drugs and conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy are currently under development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A