Such news keeps cancer patients on the edge of their seats. Some continue their adverse lifestyles, hoping that the cure is in fact around the corner. In the days following the report, however, hopes were dashed by a host of cautionary stories aimed at reducing what many feared were unrealistically high expectations. As with most things, the answer is somewhat more complex. At issue is the potential of a new class of drugs which produce anti-angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is the formulation of new blood vessels.
In a healthy adult, this normally only takes place at certain times, such as during pregnancy or when healing from some trauma. However, new blood vessels can also be formed as part of a disease, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. When cancer tumors form, they also spark angiogenesis to feed their voracious appetite for blood. Cancer researchers believe that inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels will cut off the flow of blood to the tumor and essentially starve it to death. This avenue of investigation is so promising that some 33 patents have been approved for drugs with anti-angiogenic properties.