Animation of angiogenesis, with tumor calling forth new offshoots from an existing blood vessel.
Angiogenesis is the process by which the body forms new, small blood vessels called capillaries.
Normally this process is short-lived and beneficial, as in wound healing, reproduction, and fetal development. Under some abnormal conditions, angiogenesis can develop and be detrimental, as it contributes to the growth of cancer and other diseases. Virtually all tumors are dependent on angiogenesis for their growth. Since abnormal angiogenesis rarely turns itself off spontaneously, the goal of antiangiogenic therapy is to stop the formation of new blood vessels and to break up the existing abnormal blood vessels. Angiogenesis inhibitors target new, growing blood vessels and do not affect normal resting blood vessels in the body.