Angiogenesis Inhibition in Non-GIST Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Because angiogenesis is of crucial importance in the pathogenesis of cancer, blocking the function of proan-giogenic factors has been shown to improve the outcomes of patients with several cancer types. Given the poor survival durations of patients with advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs), which has remained stable at a median of 12 months over the last 20 year, there is an unmet need for novel agents active against these tumors. Like in other tumors, accumulating evidence points at an important role for angiogenic factors in STSs, rendering these factors attractive treatment targets. This review discusses the currently available evidence supporting a role for angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of STSs and the first preliminary study results obtained with angiogenesis inhibitors. The Oncologist 2008; 13: 1193-1200