AZD2171 – a new Substance to starve Cancers to death

AZD2171, an anti-angiogenetic agent, was developed with the aim of cutting off the tumour’s blood supply and “starve it to death” as a result. It belongs to the group of so-called “small-molecule tyronsinkinase inhibitors” and inhibits the tumour cells’ ability to grow new blood vessels by blocking the “vascular endothelial growth factor” (VEGF receptor tyrokinases 1, 2, and 3). With this drug tumour growth can be brought under control.

There is already experience with this new drug which several hundred patients received in the form of a pill. A major side effect of AZD2171 is a rise in blood pressure. Therefore we are not only doing research on the new drug’s efficacy but also on an effective anti-hypertensive therapy which can be taken long-term at high dosages.