Clinical applications of VEGF-trap (aflibercept) in cancer treatment

Abstract

Angiogenesis is one of the key acquired characteristics or "hallmarks" essential for the growth and development of all solid tumor types. The antiangiogenic agent vascular endothelial growth factor-Trap (VEGF-Trap) (aflibercept), which is a composite decoy receptor based on VEGF receptor-1 and VEGF receptor-2 fused to an Fc segment of immunoglobulin G1 that binds specifically to VEGF, has demonstrated preclinical efficacy in a range of different tumor types. VEGF-Trap exerts its antiangiogenic effects through regression of tumor vasculature, remolding or normalization of surviving vasculature, and inhibition of new tumor vessel growth. Preclinical and clinical studies have reported that VEGF-Trap can be combined effectively with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This review examines the main effects of VEGF-Trap on tumor vasculature and on different types of solid tumors, and explores the preclinical and clinical benefits of incorporating VEGF-Trap into anticancer treatment strategies.