Responses to anti-angiogenic therapies

Vascular tumors occur in approximately 10% of infants, and range from small cherry-red lesions to large, life-threatening tumors. Although the majorit y of these tumors involute after several years, there are few therapeutic o ptions and their use is limited by the risk of side-effects. The recent inc rease in understanding of angiogenesis has led to investigations of new ant iangiogenic treatment options using models of vascular tumors in mice. Thes e studies have demonstrated the success of a variety of antiangiogenic appr oaches, including systemic administration of the antiangiogenic proteins AG M-1470 and angiostatin or of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor batimas tat, and gene gun therapy with interleukin-12. Although these trials provid e further evidence of the role of angiogenesis in the enlargement of these vascular tumors, their potential utility and safety await future trials in patients.