Targeting angiogenesis in bladder cancer.

In most cases, death from bladder cancer results from metastatic disease. Understanding the closely linked mechanisms of invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis in bladder cancer has allowed development of new therapeutic strategies that may lead to improvements in patient survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels appear to be prognostic for outcomes in advanced bladder cancer, and preclinical evaluation of angiogenesis inhibition demonstrates anticancer activity. Antiangiogenic agents such as sunitinib, sorafenib, and bevacizumab are being tested in advanced bladder cancer. This review highlights the key developments in antiangiogenic therapy as it relates to bladder cancer treatment.