[Benefits and Prospects of VEGF-targeted Anti-angiogenic Therapy and Immunotherapy for High-grade Glioma]

No Shinkei Geka. 2021 May;49(3):597-607. doi: 10.11477/mf.1436204433.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Elucidation of the ecological characteristics of malignant tumors has shown that angiogenesis and an immunosuppressive status in the tumor microenvironment are important for resolving treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and components of related signaling pathway can be targeted by anti-angiogenic therapy. Suppression of abundant angiogenesis using anti-angiogenic agents in high-grade gliomas inhibits rapid neurological deterioration in patients. Additionally, as VEGF promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, anti-angiogenic therapy is expected to contribute to improving the immune status in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the role of VEGF-targeted therapy and immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors and macrophages in high-grade gliomas. The authors also discuss the possibility of using these as combination therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Glioma* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A