Current Status of Angiogenesis Inhibitors - Page 3

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Oct 28, 2002

Can angiogenesis inhibitors treat blood-associated cancers?

Prior to 1973, it was assumed that hematological cancers did not induce angiogenesis to promote their own survival, since these malignancies are usually not associated with solid tumors. However, it should be recognized that leukemias begin as disorders in the development of white blood cells in the bone marrow. Lymphomas are also disorders of white blood cells which develop in the lymphatic system, and then tend to concentrate in the lymph nodes. Multiple myeloma is a disorder of plasma cells, which develop from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. In the case of multiple myeloma, however, tumors are commonly found in the skeletal system.

In all the disorders mentioned above, researchers found elevated levels of bFGF, a protein associated with angiogenesis. Subsequently, angiogenesis was found in the bone marrows of patients with leukemia and multiple myeloma, as well as the lymph nodes of lymphoma sufferers. Laboratory studies have shown that mice with these disorders can be successfully treated with the angiogenesis inhibitors angiostatin and endostatin. These results indicate promise in the treatment of blood-associated cancers.

References

1. Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, July 7, 1998

2. Gray, D., A Final Option: An experimental Alternative to Chemotherapy, The New York Times, April 9, 2002

3. Kerbel, R. and Folkman, J., Clinical Translation of Angiogenesis Inhibitors. Nature Reviews Cancer, Vol. 2, No. 10 (October 2002)

4. Pollack, A., Drug That Blocks Blood Flow Slows Tumor Growth in Trial. The New York Times, May 20, 2002

5. Veggeberg, S., Fighting Cancer with Angiogenesis Inhibitors. The Scientist, 16 (11):41, May 27, 2002

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