Cutting Off Cancer's Lifeline
Cancer cells need additional blood supply in order to sustain their out-of-control growth. Several drug companies are racing to find a way to stop the development of new blood vessels for the tumors, a process called angiogenesis. UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Albert F. LoBuglio, M.D., says UAB is testing two drugs that have different effects at the site in the lining of blood vessels where a molecule called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tries to dock with the kinase-domain-receptor (KDR) to start the angiogenesis process. "An anti-KDR antibody in Phase I trials blocks the receptor to keep VEGF from binding. In a Phase III trial, another compound blocks the signals generated after binding takes place."
Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, 205-934-8938 or [email protected].
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