oa Editorial [ Hot Topic: Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis: An Update (Guest Editor: Girolamo Ranieri)]

This issue of “Current Medicinal Chemistry” focuses on the topic “Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis: an update”. Research on angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis has been increasing in recent years. Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessel formation from a pre-existing vascular bed and is regulated by a balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Angiogenesis occurs in organ development during embryogenesis and is a main pathway in tumor growth and progression. Interestingly, angiogenesis has been considered as a pharmacological target for tumor therapy. Antiangiogenic drugs have been developed to target pro-angiogenic factors, tyrosine kinase receptors driven angiogenesis, and de-regulated cellular pathways linked to angiogenesis and involved in tumor growth. The review papers presented in this issue of the journal summarize approaches that are currently focusing on the clinical application of angiogenesis inhibitors in several tumor types, and also provide a general overview of the mechanisms that could be important in angiogenesis and as a novel pharmacological target. Prof. Ribatti and co-workers present an overview of inflammatory processes in tumor angiogenesis, with particular regard to microenvironments. In this context several strategies targeting inflammatory angiogenesis have been discussed. My co-workers and I review angiogenesis and signaling through the RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The development of sorafenib, which targets this pathway, has been discussed from its discovery through to clinical development, as have ongoing trials on the combination between sorafenib and trans-arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular patients. Dr. Guarini and co-workers review Everolimus as a novel agent targeting the m-TOR pathway and angiogenesis in Hodgkin Lymphoma. The importance of m-TOR signaling in Hodgkin Lymphoma angiogenesis and development has been also discussed. Prof. Sciorsci and co-workers focus on Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone, its receptor and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogues that are currently employed as therapeutic agents in tumor patients. The role of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogues as antiangiogenic drugs in a spontaneous breast cancer animal model and human breast cancer is discussed. Prof. De Sarro and co-workers present data about the use of Bevacizumab, a recombinant monoclonal antibody which binds Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, in malignant gliomas and provide a summary of currently available data on efficacy and safety. Dr. Morabito and co-workers review Bevacizumab and its efficacy in addition to first-line chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer with non-squamous histology. Results and future directions are discussed.