Paradox Of Cancer Drugs Gives Clue To Why Some Treatments Fail
22 March 2009 - UK Scientists have found that some types of cancer drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors can encourage breast cancer tumour growth rather than stunt it.
These drugs are designed to block the supply of blood to the tumour to prevent it from growing. This research focused on an experimental angiogenic inhibitor called cilengitide that has not yet been licensed for patients.
Lead author Dr Andy Reynolds, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the ICR, says: “Our study revealed a previously unknown mechanism through which drugs, such as cilengitide, behave. It showed that while higher concentrations of cilengitide can block angiogenesis, lower concentrations can actually stimulate the supply of blood to the tumour and can promote its growth. These results may explain why initial results from early stage clinical trials have not been as promising as hoped.
