Activity Detail
Seminar
Therapeutic applications of VEGF inhibitors: progress and challenges
Napoleone Ferrara
Angiogenesis is a fundamental physiological process that also plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several disorders, including cancer and intraocular vascular disorders. In 1989, we reported the isolation and cloning of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, VEGF-A), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen and angiogenic factor. Much evidence supports the hypothesis that VEGF is as a key regulator of normal and pathological angiogenesis. Anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies have been shown to block growth and neovascularization in tumor models. To date, several VEGF inhibitors represent standard of care for colorectal cancer and other difficult to treat malignancies. More recently, combinations of VEGF inhibitors with immunotherapy are standard of care for hepatocellular carcinoma. VEGF is also implicated in intraocular neovascularization associated with retinal disorders as well as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD. Today anti-VEGF drugs represent the most effective therapy for intraocular neovascular disorders. Current research addresses the need to reduce the frequency of intravitreal injections as well the identification of additional pro-angiogenic pathways that could improve therapeutic outcomes.