2011 July | Shom Goel, Dan G. Duda, Lei Xu, Lance L. Munn, Yves Boucher, Dai Fukumura, and Rakesh K. Jain
The article discusses the role of vascular normalization in cancer treatment and other diseases. It explains that abnormal tumor vasculature, characterized by dilated, tortuous, and hyperpermeable vessels, contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapies. Vascular normalization, achieved through anti-VEGF therapy, restores a more normal vascular phenotype, improving tumor microenvironment, drug delivery, and treatment efficacy. Preclinical and clinical studies support this concept, showing that anti-VEGF therapy can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vascular normalization hypothesis suggests that anti-angiogenic therapy reverts tumor vessels to a more normal state, improving tumor oxygenation, reducing interstitial fluid pressure, and enhancing immune responses. This process is supported by molecular mechanisms involving VEGF, pericytes, and other factors. The article also highlights the importance of understanding vascular normalization for developing better treatments for cancers and other diseases associated with abnormal angiogenesis.The article discusses the role of vascular normalization in cancer treatment and other diseases. It explains that abnormal tumor vasculature, characterized by dilated, tortuous, and hyperpermeable vessels, contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapies. Vascular normalization, achieved through anti-VEGF therapy, restores a more normal vascular phenotype, improving tumor microenvironment, drug delivery, and treatment efficacy. Preclinical and clinical studies support this concept, showing that anti-VEGF therapy can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vascular normalization hypothesis suggests that anti-angiogenic therapy reverts tumor vessels to a more normal state, improving tumor oxygenation, reducing interstitial fluid pressure, and enhancing immune responses. This process is supported by molecular mechanisms involving VEGF, pericytes, and other factors. The article also highlights the importance of understanding vascular normalization for developing better treatments for cancers and other diseases associated with abnormal angiogenesis.