VEGF inhibitors

Angiogenesis is a fundamental step in the development and progression of malignant tumors. Blockade of angiogenesis in preclinical models prevents the growth of tumor cells and therefore tumor progression. The VEGF pathway is considered to be the major regulator of angiogenesis in normal and malignant tissues. Bevacizumab is the only angiogenesis inhibitor currently approved for use in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer. A paclitaxel-based regimen in combination with bevacizumab is the only regimen that has demonstrated a survival advantage in comparison to standard chemotherapy in a Phase III trial. There is a lack of reliable prognostic or predictive biomarkers for selecting patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer who would benefit from antiangiogenic therapy.