Anti-angiogenesis Revisited: Combination with Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors

Abstract

Purpose of review: Both anti-angiogenesis and immunotherapy are well-established therapeutic options in solid tumors. Here, we review the rationale as well as clinical evidence of combining these two approaches.

Recent findings: There is strong rationale and substantial preclinical and clinical evidence that anti-angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in overcoming immunotherapy resistance. The combination of an anti-angiogenic agent and a checkpoint inhibitor offers a more robust treatment option in many clinical trials in a wide variety of solid tumor types. Combination of anti-angiogenesis and immunotherapy has emerged as a standard of care in some tumor types and the indication is expected to expand to more tumor types in the years to come.

Keywords: Anti-angiogenesis; Checkpoint inhibitor; Immunotherapy; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor; VEGF; VEGFR.