Mitochondria as targets in angiogenesis inhibition

Angiogenesis is integral to the growth and metastatic spread of tumours, and its targeting is an effective anti-tumour strategy. Currently hundreds of anti-angiogenic therapeutics exist in varying stages of development, a number of which have recently gained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of various human cancers. One class of anti-angiogenic agents directly inhibit endothelial cell function and induce endothelial cell death so as to prevent their integration into new blood vessels. The mitochondria are the focal point for a variety of pro-apoptotic signals, and this review highlights those anti-angiogenic agents that involve the mitochondria in the execution of endothelial cell death. A brief overview of angiogenesis and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is also given.