Tumour Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Since the last comprehensive assessment of antiangiogenic therapy was published in Breast Cancer Research 3 years ago, clinical trials in a variety of tumour types, including breast cancer, have underscored the key relevance of tumour neovascularization. Bevacizumab, a drug designed to target vascular endothelial cell growth factor, was utilised in many of these studies (VEGF). Clinical trials using antiangiogenic treatment in breast cancer have highlighted the critical role of tumour neovascularization. Personalised medicine will become increasingly important to generate maximum therapeutic benefit to the patient but also to realise the optimal economic advantage from the finite resources available, according to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health (NIH). This overview covers the history of breast tumour neovascularization in both in situ and invasive breast cancer, the processes by which it occurs, and the impact of the microenvironment, with a focus on hypoxia. The regulation of angiogenesis, as well as the antivascular drugs employed in antiangiogenic dosing schedules, both innovative and traditional, are discussed.