Combination of anti-angiogenic therapy and virotherapy: arming oncolytic viruses with anti-angiogenic genes

Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2009 Dec;11(6):664-9.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is essential for development and tissue repair, and is controlled by a balance of inhibitors and promoters. Overactive angiogenesis promotes tumor progression and other chronic disorders, including diabetic retinopathy and rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery of angiogenesis inhibitors has resulted in a promising therapeutic approach to these diseases. However, the benefits of anti-angiogenic drugs have been modest, stimulating interest in developing more effective approaches by combining anti-angiogenic therapy with other therapeutics. Oncolytic virotherapies are attractive therapeutics for cancer, but virotherapy alone has had similar problems to anti-angiogenic therapy, with few examples of clinical efficacy. This review summarizes the progress of the emerging field of combinations of anti-angiogenic therapy and virotherapy, and highlights future challenges in experimental and translational research that need to be addressed in order for these therapeutics to advance into the clinic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukins / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Oncolytic Viruses / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Translational Research, Biomedical
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Chemokines
  • Interleukins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases