Tumor Microenvironment, Angiogenesis Biology, and Targeted Therapy

Tumor angiogenesis is a critical component of lung cancer growth and metastasis. Extensive research over the past few decades has significantly advanced the field of antiangiogenic therapy as an effective anticancer strategy. Currently, bevacizumab is the only angiogenesis inhibitor approved for clinical use in patients with advanced/metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These research efforts have resulted in a rapid increase escalation in the number of antiangiogenic agents, including monoclonal antibodies and receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), currently at various stages of preclinical and clinical development. Additionally, recent work has been directed towards a better understanding of the molecular abnormalities associated with NSCLC cell growth and their impact on therapeutic response and clinical outcomes. This work will guide discovery and validation of activity biomarkers modulated by therapy that can identify those patients most likely to benefit from receiving therapies targeting the tumor vasculature.