Even when we hear the word cancer, we all feel a great fear. But today, medical science has advanced a lot. Amazing treatments have been found to fight cancer cells. Today we are going to talk about one such special treatment. Simply put, these work by cutting off the nutrition, that is, the blood supply, of cancer cells and slowing their growth.
What exactly are these Angiogenesis Inhibitors?
To understand this, let's take a small example. Imagine, for any tree to grow big, it needs to receive water and nutrients continuously. Similarly, for a tumor to grow big and spread to other parts of the body, a good blood supply is essential.
A cancer tumor is very small at first. At that time, it absorbs the nutrients it needs from the healthy tissue around it. But when the tumor grows to about 1-2 millimeters, it has to develop a new blood vessel system of its own. Just like a plant grows new branches. It is from these new blood vessels that the cancer tumor 'feeds', grows even bigger, and begins to spread.
These special drugs, called Angiogenesis Inhibitors , work by stopping the cancer cells from forming new blood vessels. This slows the growth of the cancer cells, and sometimes the cells can even shrink. Although this treatment cannot completely cure the cancer, it can control the growth of the cancer and allow you to be with your loved ones for a little longer.
How does this medicine work?
These drugs block a process called Angiogenesis that occurs in our body. Normally, this is a very important process for our body. Imagine that you have a wound on your hand. Then those injured cells emit a special signal (SOS signal) saying, 'Help us!'. Because of this signal, new blood capillaries form from the blood vessels around the wound, providing the wound with the necessary blood supply and healing it.
Now the worst thing here is that cancer cells also use this good process in our body to their advantage. They also send out the same signals and create new blood vessels to feed themselves.
What Angiogenesis Inhibitors do is disrupt that signaling system.
- The main signal in this signaling system is a protein called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) .
- When this protein, VEGF, binds to receptors on the surface of cells, it sends the message for new blood vessels to form.
- These medications stop this process in various ways.
| How it works | Examples of drug types |
|---|---|
| It binds to the VEGF protein and stops it from binding to receptors. | Monoclonal antibody drugs like Bevacizumab (Avastin®). |
| It directly blocks signaling from VEGF receptors. | Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors such as Sorafenib (Nexavar®) and Sunitinib (Sutent®). |
| It blocks other signaling systems involved in blood vessel formation in cancer tumors. | Immunomodulators like Thalidomide and Lenalidomide (Revlimid®). |
What conditions is this medicine used for?
Doctors usually recommend this treatment for cancers that are advanced or have recurred after treatment. For example:
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Uterine cancer
In addition, this type of drug, called VEGF inhibitors, is also used to treat certain eye diseases caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the eyes.
What happens during treatment?
These drugs are rarely given alone. They are often given in combination with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Simply put, angiogenesis inhibitors starve the cancer by depriving it of its food, while other treatments directly kill the cancer cells.
Depending on the type of medication you are given, you may be given it as a pill once or twice a day, or it may be given intravenously (IV) with saline once every few days.
The length of treatment depends on the type of medication you are given and your medical condition. Some people continue taking the medication as long as it works. Others have to stop when they can't tolerate the side effects. This is all decided by talking to your doctor and weighing the pros and cons of the treatment.
What are the risks and side effects?
It is very important that you are aware of the risks and side effects of using this medication in advance, so that you can recognize any changes in your body quickly.
Some of the side effects of these medications can be dangerous, so it's important to be aware of this.
| Side effect/risk | What to know |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment. |
| Internal bleeding | Be aware of symptoms such as bruising anywhere on the body and blood in the stool. |
| Delayed wound healing | The doctor is especially careful about administering these medications before or after surgery. |
| Gastrointestinal perforation | Although this is very rare, if you experience sudden, severe stomach pain, notify your doctor immediately. |
| Blood clots | This is a very dangerous condition and can lead to conditions such as heart attack or stroke. |
| Other side effects | Decreased thyroid function and liver damage may also occur. |
These may sound scary, but your doctor will be constantly monitoring your health and blood tests, so these risks can be identified and managed to a large extent.
How can I take care of myself? When should I call the doctor?
The most important thing you can do is to be well-informed about the possible side effects before starting this medication. Then, if you notice any changes in your body, you can quickly recognize them and tell your doctor. Your doctor can give you other medications to control those side effects, or change the dosage of the medication you are taking.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any sudden, unusual symptoms. Especially if you experience symptoms of a stroke or heart attack (e.g., severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, numbness in the face or extremities), go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Are there things that naturally stop this process?
Yes, some foods contain compounds that can block some of the signals involved in this angiogenesis process. These foods are often found in the Mediterranean diet. For example:
- Green tea
- Olive oil
- Red grapes
- Peanuts
- Asparagus
Doctors are researching new drugs using these natural compounds, but that research is still in its early stages.
It's important to remember something important here. Eating these foods will not cure cancer or stop the growth of cancerous tumors. These are never a substitute for cancer medications prescribed by a doctor.
However, eating a nutritious diet can go a long way in helping someone undergoing cancer treatment stay strong. So, make sure you eat a balanced diet.
Take-Home Message
- Angiogenesis inhibitors are a type of drug that stops the formation of blood vessels that supply blood to cancer tumors, controlling their growth.
- Although these cannot completely cure cancer, they can help control the progression of the disease and extend survival.
- Often these drugs are given together with other treatments, such as chemotherapy.
- As dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure and blood clots can occur, immediately inform your doctor about any unusual symptoms that occur during treatment.
- Never use natural food supplements as a substitute for medical treatment. Always follow your doctor's advice.
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