Patent focus on cancer chemotherapeutics. II angiogenesis agents: April 2000-September 2000

Angiogenesis refers to the formation of capillary blood vessels from existing blood vessels: a process that is believed to be critical for tumour growth and metastasis. Angiogenesis inhibition represents a new approach to cancer chemotherapy with several agents and approaches non; entering late clinical development. This review summarises the key aspects of recent patent applications referring to inhibitors of angiogenesis that have been published between April and September 2000. The review covers the main mechanism-based approaches such as MMPI, integrin antagonists, urokinase inhibitors and inhibitors of the growth factor signalling pathways of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Tie-2/Tek. Applications referring to endogenous inhibitors such as endostatin or angiostatin are also included, as are selected natural products that have data suggesting a link to angiogenesis-specific mechanisms of action.