Angiogenesis inhibitors in gastric cancer

Abstract: In the United States in 2013 it was estimated that 21,600 people would be diagnosed, and 10,990 would die of gastric cancer, the 14th most common type of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, the majority of patients in Western countries present with metastatic disease, with very limited prognosis and relatively few treatment options. In recent years there has been increased interest in targeted agents in advanced gastric cancer. A common area of interest in anti-tumor therapy involves anti-angiogenic strategies. Abnormal neo-angiogenesis is a feature of many tumor types, and anti-angiogenic therapy has shown efficacy. The purpose of this article is to review the use of various angiogenesis inhibitors in gastric cancer. In addition, we will discuss in further detail ramucirumab, a new vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitor which has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of advanced stomach cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Keywords: gastric cancer, anti-angiogenic, ramucirumab, VEGFR2