Control of cancers by combining antiangiogenesis and cancer immunotherapy

Drugs Today (Barc). 2005 Jul;41(7):471-94. doi: 10.1358/dot.2005.41.7.893623.

Abstract

Ideally, cancer therapy would eliminate tumor growth at multiple sites in the body without damaging normal cells. In this regard, antiangiogenesis and immunotherapy may represent two potential approaches for control of cancers. Inhibition of tumor-specific angiogenesis restrains neoplastic growth by sequestering cancerous cells from an adequate blood supply, while activation of cancer-specific T cell-mediated immune responses can initiate attacks on tumors associated with a specific antigen. A novel approach that combines both strategies may potentially generate a better antitumor effect. In this review, we will outline the fields of cancer antiangiogenesis and cancer immunotherapy, including their advantages and limitations. In addition, we will discuss the feasibility of combining both mechanisms to generate a more powerful strategy for cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A