Targeted Inhibition of Tumour Vascularisation Using Anti-PDGF/VEGF Aptamers

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of the numerous proteins growth factors that plays a significant role in embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell migration and particularly, in blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). Its sub-family, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is another important growth factor that functions in creating new blood vessels during embryonic development, new blood vessels after injury, muscle following exercise, and new vessels to bypass blocked vessels. Over expression of PDGF/VEGF can contribute to diseases such as vascular disease in the retina of the eye and other parts of the body, eventually leading to cancer. Thus, PDGF and VEGF antagonists for therapy of neo vascular disorders and cancer have become important research topics for scientists during the last decade. Recently it has been reported that aptamers or chemical antibodies can bind to and inhibit the activity of PDGF/VEGF with highly affinity and specificity. The effect of anti-PDGF and anti-VEGF therapy to treat tumour vascularisation is discussed in this review. Besides that, the benefits and drawbacks of three commercialized drugs, namely Avastin, Macugenand Lucentis, and examples of anti-VEGF/PDGF aptamers, such as E10030 have also been elaborately discussed.