Angiogenic endothelial cells and tumor vasculature

Angiogenic endothelial cells and tumor vasculature represent the pathological blood vessel network that develops within tumors to provide the oxygen and nutrients required for rapid growth and metastatic spread [1][3]. These vessels are distinct from normal physiological vasculature, often being disorganized, leaky, and tortuous due to a persistent imbalance of pro-angiogenic factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) [1][2]. In the context of drug development, this target is addressed by anti-angiogenic agents that block signaling pathways essential for endothelial cell survival and proliferation [3][4]. By inhibiting these processes, therapies aim to starve the tumor of its blood supply or normalize the vessel structure to improve the efficacy of co-administered cytotoxic drugs [2][4]. This target is a cornerstone of treatment for numerous solid malignancies and is also a primary focus in treating ocular diseases characterized by abnormal vessel growth [1]. [1] Ferrara N, Adamis AP. Ten years of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2016;15(6):385-403. [2] Jain RK. Normalization of tumor vasculature: an emerging concept in antiangiogenic therapy. Science. 2005;307(5706):58-62. [3] Folkman J. Tumor angiogenesis: therapeutic implications. N Engl J Med. 1971;285(21):1182-1186. [4] Kerbel RS. Tumor angiogenesis. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(19):2039-2049.

Other names

Tumor neovasculatureTumor-associated endothelial cellsTumor blood vesselsAngiogenic vessels

Inhibition of pro-angiogenic signaling (primarily the VEGF/VEGFR axis), disruption of endothelial cell proliferation and survival, and induction of vascular normalization.