Chemotherapy: New Uses for Old Drugs

Using chemotherapy drugs as antiangiogenic agents is a new use for drugs that have been around for a long time. The favorable toxicity profile and reduced cost make low-dose continuous “metronomic” chemotherapy trials appealing, but there is still much to be learned. Challenges ahead include determination of the optimal tumor types, drugs, doses, schedules, and response monitoring (end points). The measurement of angiogenic growth factors and inhibitors and of circulating endothelial progenitor cells or their precursors represents promising strategies in these areas.