Combined anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer

Background: in recent years, anti-angiogenic treatments have been shown to synergize with traditional chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic regimens. Combining anti-angiogenesis with targeted anti-proliferative agents might also be synergistic. Several lines of evidence point to the validity of this approach, and preliminary results of ongoing and recent studies support it. Objective: The background and current status of anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative treatments will be summarized, as well as the evidence supporting and antagonizing their combined use in the clinic. Methods: Relevant literature was reviewed using PubMed search, and recent major conference proceedings and other relevant data were searched through internet publications. Results/conclusion: Combining anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative treatments seems a promising approach, although not in all clinical circumstances.