Antiangiogenesis Therapy

Also known as: anti-angiogenesis therapy, anti angiogenesis therapy, antiangiogenic therapy, antiangiogenic agents, antiangiogenic drugs, angiogenesis inhibitors

What is antiangiogenesis therapy?

Antioangiogenesis therapy includes a group of medications that stop the growth of the blood vessels that supply the tumor with nutrition. As a tumor grows, it develops its own network of blood vessels. This blood supply provides nutrition to allow the tumor to grow more. Antiangiogenesis therapy acts to block the blood supply to the tumor, ultimately starving it and thus preventing further growth.

What happens during the treatment?

Antioangiogenesis therapy will be a medication prescribed by a health care provider. Depending on which medication is indicated, you will take the medication by mouth as a pill or capsule or it will be administered direction into the vein as an intravenous solution. The specific dosage and timing of each dosage will vary based on the medications used.

Is any special preparation needed?

No special preparation is required before starting antioangiogenesis therapy. The drugs do have some side effects, so you’ll want to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits before starting the medication.

What are the risk factors?

The side effects of antioangiogenesis therapy are generally milder than other cancer treatments like chemotherapy. The have been commonly known to cause high blood pressure, rash, dry and itchy skin, poor wound healing, fatigue or diarrhea. In rare instances, more severe side effects like bleeding, blood clots, heart attacks heart failure can occur.

Reviewed by: Kristen Stabingas, MD

This page was last updated on: November 08, 2023 04:33 PM