Anti-angiogenesis immunotherapy

Hum Vaccin. 2011 Sep;7(9):976-81. doi: 10.4161/hv.7.9.16407. Epub 2011 Sep 1.

Abstract

Tumors stimulate angiogenesis to meet increasing nutrient and oxygen demands. In addition to their role in vascular remodeling, pro-angiogenic cytokines and effector cells contribute to an immune-inhibitory environment associated with advanced malignancies. Despite the critical role of angiogenesis in tumor growth and dissemination, most anti-angiogenic cancer therapies have had only limited success selectively targeting one of the many factors implicated in this process. Similarly, the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapies has been limited by tumor-mediated escape mechanisms and immune suppression. By combining the two strategies, however, anti-angiogenic immunotherapy offers the possibility to more robustly inhibit tumor angiogenesis and simultaneously impact the immune-inhibitory effects of the pro-angiogenic tumor milieu. These potential synergies make the combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic treatment a promising avenue for future research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Cancer Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Cancer Vaccines