Antibody-based targeting of angiogenesis

Angiogenesis-the sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones-is a characteristic feature of relevant diseases such as cancer, some blinding ocular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. This article reviews recent progress in the generation of monoclonal antibodies, which recogniz e and target new blood vessels in vivo, while sparing mature vessels and he althy tissues. The use of such antibodies as selective "molecular vehicles" is likely to open new important diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities.