Wiktoria Papuga, Dominika Stencel, Jakub Rok, Dorota Małgorzata Wrześniok

Angiogenesis as an important factor in the process of cancerogenesis. Drugs influencing angiogenesis

 

 

2025-05-16

Subject of the study. Understanding the molecular mechanism regulating the process of oncogenesis is an important factor in the treatment of cancer. Angiogenesis is defined as the process of creating new capillaries and occurs by branching or lengthening already existing blood vessels. This process allows for an increased sluppy of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in increased proliferation and increased cell growth. Angiogenesis plays an important role both in physiological conditions, e.g., during embryogenesis and in the course of many diseases, e.g., diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancers. The process is regulated by many pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main stimulator of angiogenesis, also in the course of cancer. The molecular mechanisms of these processes have become the focus of interest of many scientists in recent years and have contributed to the development of new drugs with targeted action.

Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to present the most important information on the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis taking into consideration currently available therapeutic options for cancer.

Materials and methods. The selection of literature was based on the analysis and review of the literature in the fields of biology, pharmacy, and medicine. Selected sources include mainly English- and Polish-language review articles, as well as the characteristics of medicinal products. The primary sources of information include databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar and the  following keywords: “angiogenesis”, “targeted therapy”, “kinase inhibitors”, and “monoclonal antibodies”. The databases were searched between June 2024 and January 2025. Most of the literature used in the work comes from the past five years, but older items appear to supplement the topic.

Results. The drugs that inhibit the formation of new blood vessels allow both the reduction of the formation of metastasis and the inhibition of tumor growth. Currently, monoclonal antibodies (bevacizumab, ramucirumab), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, axitinib, regorafenib, afatinib), receptor fusion proteins (aflibercept) and mTOR inhibitor with antiangiogenic activity (everolimus) are being studied and used as part of targeted therapy related to the processes of angiogenesis. Thalidomide and lenalidomide are immunomodulatory agents with antiangiogenic activity that belong to non-selective drugs that inhibit angiogenesis in the course of cancer. Drugs used as part of targeted therapy have improved the effectiveness of cancer treatment, but they are often used with other anticancer drugs and, like other chemotherapy drugs, may cause many side effects.

Conclusions. The process of angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Understanding the molecular characteristics of the mechanism of angiogenesis has contributed to the development of new, more selective methods of cancer therapy. A key step in the development of new targeted therapies is to identify the molecular target of drugs: a gene, enzyme, signaling molecule, receptor or other element of the extracellular or intracellular signaling system that plays an important role in the development of specific cancers. The process of angiogenesis can be selectively inhibited in the course of cancer by e.g., drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial, growth factor inhibitors and small molecule kinase inhibitors involved in cell signaling . The molecular complexity of angiogenesis brings with it a wide range of opportunities to search for new, selectively acting drugs and develop effective oncological therapies.

Keywords: angiogenesis, targeted therapy, kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies.

© Farm Pol, 2024, 80(11): 759–766