Targeted Therapy of Ovarian Cancer with Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Specific blocking of interactions between ligands and receptors along the angiogenic pathways represents an effective approach for enhancing the efficacy as well as reducing adverse effects of chemotherapy. Over the past decade, there was a rapid progression in the application of this therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. Anti-angiogenic therapy is the most promising targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. The addition of bevacizumab to conventional chemotherapy, either in the first-line setting or at disease relapse, may improve overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer patients, at least in a subset of patients with poor prognosis. In this article, we summarize published data on the major agents used for anti-angiogenic therapy in ovarian cancers. We will review the molecular mechanisms, results of clinical trial of existing agents and describe the development of new agents. The limitations and side effects of angiogenesis inhibitor are also discussed.