Monotherapy and Combination Therapy Using Anti‐Angiogenic Nanoagents to Fight Cancer

Abstract Anti‐angiogenic therapy, targeting vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to prevent tumor growth, has been attracting increasing attention in recent years, beginning with bevacizumab (Avastin) through its Phase II/III clinical trials on solid tumors. However, these trials showed only modest clinical efficiency; moreover, anti‐angiogenic therapy may induce acquired resistance to the drugs employed. Combining advanced drug delivery techniques (e.g., nanotechnology) or other therapeutic strategies (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy) with anti‐angiogenic therapy results in significantly synergistic effects and has opened a new horizon in fighting cancer. Herein, clinical difficulties in using traditional anti‐angiogenic therapy are discussed. Then, several promising applications of anti‐angiogenic nanoagents in monotherapies and combination therapies are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of anti‐angiogenic cancer therapy are summarized. A useful introduction to anti‐angiogenic strategies, which may significantly improve therapeutic outcomes, is thus provided.