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Avastin normalises existing tumour vasculature

Changes in tumour vasculature during the course of anti-angiogenic therapy¹¹

Panel a) shows normal vasculature

Panel b) depicts abnormal tumour vasculature (immature vessels with increased permeability, vessel diameter, vessel length, vessel density, tortuosity and interstitial fluid pressure)

Panel c) shows how anti-angiogenic therapies might prune immature vessels, leading to more normalised tumour vasculature.¹¹

Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nat Med 7(9):987–9, copyright 2001.

• In preclinical models, Avastin has been shown to⁸
  • prune immature vasculature
  • reduce vessel permeability
  • reduce intratumoural pressure.
   
• It has been proposed that these effects of Avastin may help make tumour cells more sensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy.^11,12,22

• Thus Avastin-based therapy maximises the effectiveness of the overall cancer treatment strategy.

• In terms of clinical significance, normalisation of tumour vasculature by Avastin can maximise efficacy of concomitant therapy. This effect is discussed in more detail here.