Cancer chemotherapeutics - angiogenesis agents: October 1999-March 2000

Angiogenesis is often defined as the formation of capillary blood vessels from existing blood vessels. In the area of cancer research, approaches that seek to block angiogenesis are under intense investigation. In the past six months, a number of applications have appeared referring to small molecule inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase, the integrin receptor alpha(v)beta(3) and other defined targets. This review summarises the key features of these applications as well as other disclosures involving natural products claimed as angiogenesis inhibitors. The review also summarises angiogenesis-related disclosures involving endogenous inhibitors, novel targets and interesting technologies that have appeared in applications published between October 1999 and March 2000. If the patent activity is any indication, there is significant interest and a number of opportunities for treating cancer through inhibiting angiogenesis.