Recent Anti-angiogenic Drug Discovery Efforts To Combat Cancer

The process of angiogenesis promotes tumor growth and metastatic spreading and angiogenesis inhibition has therapeutic efficacy in many preclinical models. The discovery of pathways mediating tumor angiogenesis, in particular VEGFs and their receptors, paved the way to the development of anti-angiogenic drugs to translate into clinic as anti-cancer agents. However, dozens of anti-angiogenic drugs have been approved and routinely used under clinical practice. However, with the compelling preclinical evidence demonstrating anti-cancer activity, therapeutic benefits in patients remained modest. Recent progress in understanding the biology of tumor angiogenesis and their molecular mechanisms opened a new prospect for improving therapeutic strategies. An emergent approach to improve efficacy and avoid resistance is to hit multiple angiogenesis pathways and or administration in combination with other anticancer agents. In this review, we have highlighted some of the emerging aspects and discussed new antiangiogenic drug discovery in the past five years.