TREATING CANCER BY INHIBITING ANGIOGENESIS - NEW HOPES AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS

Angiogenesis is essential for progressive solid tumor growth and thus constitutes a very promising therapeutic target. Recent developments i n understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor blood ve ssel formation provides a rational basis for anti-angiogenic drug deve lopment, especially of more selective and effective agents. However, f or the very same reason, it is time to think more critically about som e of the potential pitfalls and difficulties associated with this trea tment strategy and of research needed to define realistic expectations in this area.