antiangiogènes

Antiangiogenesis is a process that aims to prevent or reverse the formation of new blood vessels. This process is crucial because many diseases, including cancer and age-related macular degeneration, rely on the development of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis, to grow and spread. Antiangiogenic therapies target the signals that promote blood vessel growth, thereby starving tumors or preventing abnormal vessel formation in other conditions.

The mechanism of antiangiogenesis involves blocking specific molecular pathways that are essential for angiogenesis. Key targets include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that plays a vital role in stimulating the growth of new blood vessels, and its receptors. By inhibiting these signals, antiangiogenic drugs can impede the formation of new blood vessels or even cause existing ones to regress.

Antiangiogenic therapies have shown promise in treating various cancers. By cutting off the blood supply to tumors, these treatments can slow down tumor growth, prevent metastasis (the spread of cancer to other parts of the body), and potentially enhance the effectiveness of other cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. In ophthalmology, antiangiogenic drugs are widely used to treat conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration, where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and leak fluid, leading to vision loss.

While antiangiogenic therapies offer significant potential, they are not without side effects. These can include high blood pressure, bleeding, impaired wound healing, and gastrointestinal issues, as blood vessels are also important for healthy tissue function. Research continues to refine these therapies, aiming to improve their efficacy and reduce their side effects.