Synergies of Targeting Angiogenesis and Immune Checkpoints in Cancer: From Mechanism to Clinical Applications

Abstract

Background: Angiogenesis marks key progress in the growth, recurrence, and metastasis of various cancers. Antiangiogenic drugs can improve the blood supply and oxygen content of tumors and enhance the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by normalizing tumor blood vessels and microenvironment. The further recent developments of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) provide significant progress in cancer immunotherapy. The study focused on programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade, reflecting on the evidence of durable responses among various tumor types. The aim of this review was to sum up present evidence and clarify the rationale behind supporting the benefits of combining antiangiogenic drugs with immunotherapy for cancer treatment as well as list the ongoing clinical trials that are being conducted. Methods: Using PubMed and Web of Science, published articles have been searched and comprehensively reviewed. Results: Antiangiogenic agents can trigger antitumor and immunity, and they can also be induced by the immune system. Combining antiangiogenic drugs with immunotherapy may be effective for the treatment of human cancers. Conclusion: It is evidenced that combining angiogenesis inhibitors with immunotherapy has a synergistic effect thus improving the curative effect of both agents.