Noncancer Uses for Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Extract

Although many people assume that angiogenesis inhibitors will be for cancers only, it probably won’t turn out that way. Blood vessels also abnormally proliferate in macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, both leading causes of blindness, and in psoriasis. There is also considerable evidence that the proliferation contributes to rheumatoid arthritis and some cardiovascular disease as well. The potential the drugs may have for improving the treatment of these and related disorders has already begun to be systematically explored.

There also are conditions that might respond to drugs that stimulate angiogenesis. These include peripheral artery disease. That possibility, too, is being actively pursued.