New studies of anti-angiogenesis agents are demonstrating the potential to inhibit new blood vessel formation, and thus keep tumors from developing the blood supply they need to grow and spread. For detailed information about anti-angiogenesis agents and listings of the agents in clinical trials from the National Cancer Institute, click here . The growth of blood vessels in a tumor or angiogenesis is controlled by certain chemicals produced by the body itself. These chemicals role is to stimulate cells to repair damaged blood vessels or to generate new ones. These chemicals are called angiogenesis inhibitors.
Examples are endostain and angiostain.
Like any other cells found throughout the body, tumor cells rely on oxygen and nutrients from the circulatory system to stay alive. Angiogenesis inhibitors work by starving the tumors of their blood supply, thus reducing oxygen and nutrients to the tumor. Without nourishment from these blood vessels, large tumors will shrink to a dormant microscopic size. Real Player needed.