Angiogenesis inhibitor

• Angiogenesis inhibitors are a class of drugs that work by inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis.
• This therapeutic approach is used in the treatment of various conditions, including cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and certain inflammatory disorders.
• By targeting angiogenesis, these medications aim to disrupt the blood supply to tumors or abnormal tissues, thereby hindering their growth and progression.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors Image

Mechanism of Action

• Angiogenesis is a complex process involving the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones.
• It plays a crucial role in normal physiological processes such as wound healing, embryonic development, and menstrual cycles.
• However, it is also involved in the growth and spread of tumors and certain diseases.

Angiogenesis inhibitors exert their effects through different mechanisms, including:

Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF):

• VEGF is a key protein that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels.
• Angiogenesis inhibitors can block the activity of VEGF or its receptors, preventing the signaling pathways that promote angiogenesis.

Disruption of Blood Vessel Formation:

• Some angiogenesis inhibitors target specific molecules involved in blood vessel formation, such as integrins or fibroblast growth factors (FGFs).
• By interfering with these molecules, they disrupt the process of angiogenesis.

Modulation of Angiogenic Factors:

• Angiogenesis inhibitors can modify the levels or activity of various angiogenic factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), or angiopoietins, thereby influencing the balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic signals.

Clinical Applications

• Angiogenesis inhibitors have been primarily studied and utilized in the treatment of cancer.
• By inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels, they aim to starve tumors of their blood supply, preventing their growth and spread.

Some commonly used angiogenesis inhibitors in cancer treatment include:

• Bevacizumab (Avastin)
• Sorafenib (Nexavar)
• Sunitinib (Sutent)
• Pazopanib (Votrient)
• Ramucirumab (Cyramza)

In addition to cancer, angiogenesis inhibitors are also used in the management of other conditions, such as:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD):

• Certain angiogenesis inhibitors, including ranibizumab (Lucentis) and aflibercept (Eylea), are injected into the eye to treat the abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina that occurs in AMD.

Inflammatory Disorders:

• Some inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease, involve excessive angiogenesis.
• Angiogenesis inhibitors can be used to help control the inflammation and reduce symptoms in these conditions.

Adverse Effects

• Angiogenesis inhibitors can have side effects, which vary depending on the specific medication and the condition being treated.

Common side effects may include:

• hypertension (high blood pressure), proteinuria (presence of excess protein in urine), bleeding or clotting disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, and fatigue.
• Since angiogenesis inhibitors can affect the formation of new blood vessels throughout the body, they may interfere with normal wound healing and cause delayed healing.
• Additionally, they can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke.

• It is important to note that angiogenesis inhibitors are prescribed and administered under the supervision of healthcare professionals experienced in their use.
• The choice of medication, dosage, and treatment duration are tailored to each patient's specific condition and individual characteristics.

References

Kerbel, R.S. (2008). Tumor angiogenesis. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(19), 2039-2049. Ferrara, N., & Adamis, A.P. (2016). Anti-VEGF therapy for ocular vascular diseases. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 15(6), 385-396. Carmeliet, P. (2005). Angiogenesis in health and disease. Nature Medicine, 9(6), 653-660.

See Also

Here are some related topics that you may find helpful:

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
• Tumor Angiogenesis
• Anti-VEGF Therapy
• Cancer Treatment Options
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Inflammatory Disorders
• Integrins
• Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs)
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β)

• Dailymed label info on Angiogenesis inhibitor
• FDA Angiogenesis inhibitor

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