Silencing or Fueling Metastasis with VEGF Inhibitors: Antiangiogenesis Revisited — Loges, 2009

The article "Silencing or fueling metastasis with VEGF inhibitors: antiangiogenesis revisited" discusses the use of VEGF inhibitors as a potential treatment for cancer. VEGF inhibitors are drugs that work by blocking the growth of blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors. However, recent studies have shown that VEGF inhibitors can also have unintended consequences, such as promoting tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The authors discuss the mechanisms behind these effects and suggest that the antiangiogenic effects of VEGF inhibitors may actually cause hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in tumor cells, which can lead to increased expression of genes involved in invasion and metastasis. Additionally, the authors propose that VEGF inhibitors may activate alternative pathways for blood vessel growth, which can also contribute to tumor progression. Overall, the article suggests that while VEGF inhibitors can be effective in reducing tumor growth, their use may also have unintended consequences that promote cancer progression. The authors call for further research to better understand these effects and to develop new strategies for targeting tumor blood vessels that minimize these risks.

Loges, S., Mazzone, M., Hohensinner, P., & Carmeliet, P. (2009). Silencing or fueling metastasis with VEGF inhibitors: antiangiogenesis revisited. Cancer cell, 15(3), 167–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2009.02.007