The preclinical evaluation of angiogenesis inhibitors.

Angiogenesis is a fundamental process which is required for a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. The field of angiogenesis therefore has many therapeutic implications and has progressed rapidly. Many strategies have been devised to regulate angiogenesis and several endogenous and synthetic inhibitors of angiogenesis have now been identified. These inhibitors can be used to treat a number of angiogenesis-dependent diseases and they offer a novel means of potently inhibiting tumor growth without significant toxicity or drug resistance. Recently, some of these inhibitors have entered clinical trials. In this article, I will review methods currently employed in the preclinical evaluation of angiogenesis inhibitors and I will discuss some of the implications of angiogenesis research.