Angiogenesis in anatomy, activity and information in patients with advanced breast cancer

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, is required for tumor growth and metastasis. There is preclinical evidence supporting the role of neoangiogenesis in tumor progression and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor plays the key role in angiogenesis. The inhibition of angiogenesis may be an effective treatment for patients with advanced breast cancer. Bevacizumab, monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor is active in breast cancer patients. A large randomized Ill phase clinical trails demonstrated a significant benefit in progression free survival and clinical response rate from addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel or docetaxel for first line treatment of advanced breast cancer. Bevacizumab plus paclitaxel or docetaxel is effective and safe treatment in patients with advanced breast cancer. Other antiangionenic therapies are now under intensive clinical research.