How do antiangiogenic drugs treat cancer?
What is Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy?
Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy is a cancer treatment approach that targets the Inhibits the formation of new blood vessels in cancer cells It deprives the cancer of nutrients and oxygen, which slows down the growth and spread of the cancer.
How Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy Works
Cancer cells require a process Angiogenesis (New Blood Vessel Creation) To get nutrients and oxygen from the body. When blood vessels are formed around the cancer, the cancer can grow and spread to other organs faster.
Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy works by blocking proteins or factors that stimulate blood vessel formation, such as: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Depriving cancer cells of their energy source and making it harder for them to grow.
Benefits of Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy
Slowing down cancer growth → The cancer is unable to form new blood vessels to bring in nutrients.
Reduced spreading capacity → Cancer cannot easily travel through the circulatory system to other organs.
Enhance the effectiveness of other treatments → Can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
Bevacizumab (Avastin) → Used to treat colon cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer. Ramucirumab (Cyramza) → Used to treat stomach cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer. Axitinib, Sorafenib, Sunitinib → Used to treat kidney and liver cancer.
Precautions of Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy
May cause side effects such as:
- High blood pressure
- Easy bleeding
- Slow wound healing
- Protein leakage in urine (Proteinuria)
Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy is a cancer treatment that helps Cut off the nutrient transport pathways of cancer cells It slows down the growth of the cancer and reduces the chance of it spreading to other organs. This treatment can be used in conjunction with other methods to increase the effectiveness of disease control. However, a doctor should be consulted to determine if it is suitable for the patient.
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