Designing therapies that target tumor blood vessels
Barinaga, M.
Science 275(5299): 482-484
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 9019809 Document Number: 474503
A new wave of potential cancer therapies aims to destroy cancer cells by shutting off the blood vessels through which tumors get the oxygen and nutrients they require to live and grow. Recently reported research further advances this anticancer strategy, giving a boost to two different methods of cutting tumors' lifelines. The most common method aims to prevent tumors from forming the new blood vessels needed to nurture their growth. To block this process, known as angiogenesis, scientists have identified agents that interfere with the endothelial cells that construct the new vessels by preventing them from responding to growth factors or suppressing their ability to eat through surrounding tissues. The second method seeks to block blood vessels that have already formed.