Angiogenesis plays a central role in the process of
tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. The
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) family of
peptide growth factors and receptors are key regulators of this process. Agents directed either against
VEGF or
VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) have been developed. The
tyrosine kinase inhibitors of VEGFRs are low-molecular-weight,
ATP-mimetic
proteins that bind to the
ATP-binding catalytic site of the
tyrosine kinase domain of VEG-FRs, resulting in blockade of intracellular signaling. Several of these agents are currently in different phases of clinical development. Large randomized phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of
sunitinib and
sorafenib in the treatment of patients affected by
gastrointestinal stromal tumors and
renal cancer refractory to standard
therapies, respectively. Positive results also have been reported with the combination of
ZD6474 and
chemotherapy in previously treated
non-small cell lung cancer patients. For other agents, such as
vatalanib, contrasting outcomes in metastatic
colorectal cancer patients have been reported: the final results of these trials are expected in 2006. However, several key questions remain to be addressed, regarding the choice of an adequate dose or schedule, the presence of "off-target" effects, the safety of long-term administration, and the research of new clinical end points or methodological approaches for the optimal clinical development of these agents.