Vascular-targeting agent
Encyclopedia
A vascular-targeting agent (VTA) or vascular disrupting agent (VDA) is a drug designed to damage the vasculature (blood vessel
s) of cancer
tumor
s causing central necrosis
.
VTAs can be small-molecule or ligand
-based.
Small-molecule VTAs include:
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
s) of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
s causing central necrosis
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
.
VTAs can be small-molecule or ligand
Ligand (biochemistry)
In biochemistry and pharmacology, a ligand is a substance that forms a complex with a biomolecule to serve a biological purpose. In a narrower sense, it is a signal triggering molecule, binding to a site on a target protein.The binding occurs by intermolecular forces, such as ionic bonds, hydrogen...
-based.
Small-molecule VTAs include:
- microtubuleMicrotubuleMicrotubules are a component of the cytoskeleton. These rope-like polymers of tubulin can grow as long as 25 micrometers and are highly dynamic. The outer diameter of microtubule is about 25 nm. Microtubules are important for maintaining cell structure, providing platforms for intracellular...
destabilizing drugs such as combretastatin A-4 disodium phosphate (CA4P), ZD6126ZD6126ZD6126 is a vascular-targeting agent and a prodrug of N-acetylcolchinol, related to colchicine. It has shown promising results on tumors in mice....
, AVE8062, Oxi 4503 - vadimezanVadimezanVadimezan or ASA404 is a tumor-vascular disrupting agent that attacks the blood supply of a cancerous tumor to cause tumor regression.-Non-small cell lung cancer:...
(ASA404)