Abstract

Several vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted agents, administered either as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy, have been shown to benefit patients with advanced-stage malignancies. VEGF-targeted therapies were initially developed with the notion that they would inhibit new blood vessel growth and thus starve tumours of necessary oxygen and nutrients. It has become increasingly apparent, however, that the therapeutic benefit associated with VEGF-targeted therapy is complex, and probably involves multiple mechanisms. A better understanding of these mechanisms will lead to future advances in the use of these agents in the clinic.

Author affiliations

1. Departments of Surgical Oncology and Cancer Biology, Unit 444, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 301402, Houston, Texas 77230–1402, USA.
2. Oncology Discovery, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Schering-Plough Corporation, 2,015 Kenilworth, Galloping Hill Road, New Jersey 07033, USA.

Correspondence to: Lee M. Ellis¹ Email: lellis@mdanderson.org

Correspondence to: Daniel J. Hicklin¹ Email: dan.hicklin@spcorp.com

Published online 3 July 2008

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