Angiogenesis, angiopoeitin and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
Read and writing about malignant brain cancers, gliomas or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) always makes me sad as life span from diagnosis is often only a year. Over the last decade we have seen many advances in surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapies in many cancers, yet this one remains largely immune to significant progress.
Background
Angiogenesis inhibitors targeting the VEGF signaling pathway have been shown to be effective both in preclinical cancer models and in clinical trials. This has led to the approval of several agents targeting VEGF in cancer, including bevacizumab (Avastin), sorafenib (Nexavar) and sunitinib (Sutent). To date, bevacizumab, has been approved for the treatment of relapsed glioblastomas in the US, at a dose of 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks. The approval in GBM was based on objective response rate, not survival.