Putting the brakes on angiogenesis through a novel VEGF-KLH (kinoid) vaccine

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Of the several known angiogenic factors, VEGF is an important mediator of tumor-induced angiogenesis and represents a potential target for innovative anticancer therapy. Recently, humanized monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody (bevacizumab) has been approved by the US FDA for combinatorial therapies with cytotoxic drugs in metastatic colorectal cancer. However, adverse side effects and enormous costs are associated with the use and delivery of bevacizumab. In the study under evaluation, Rad et al. demonstrated an alternative approach by using active immunization in mice with a novel VEGF-kinoid vaccine. The authors observed that the antitumor effects elicited by their vaccine were as effective as bevacizumab in xenografted-tumor mouse models.