angiogenesis
Definition: (an-gee-oh-GEN-eh-sis) Blood vessel formation or the growth of blood vessels between a tumor and surrounding tissue so the tumor can be nourished. Studies have found that prostate cancer tumors suffer from hypoxia, a condition where there is a lack of oxygen reaching the tissue despite the presence of oxygenated blood. Thus the tumor must apparently create a greater blood supply (angiogenesis) to get more oxygen.
An angiogenesis inhibitor would seek to slow or halt the angiogenesis and thus the tumor growth.
Endostatin (END-oh-STA-tin) and Angiostatin (AN-gee-oh-STA-tin) are two drugs being tested.
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