The growth of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is the process that enables tumours to grow; cancerous cells produce chemicals (called growth factors) that stimulate new blood vessels to form near the tumour, supplying it with nutrients.
n. the formation of new blood vessels, which occurs during wound healing and is promoted by growth factors (see vascular endothelial growth factor). This process is also seen in many malignant tumours and has become a target for anticancer therapy (see angiogenesis inhibitor).
an agent that prevents the development of new blood vessels (*angiogenesis) by inhibiting the action of *vascular endothelial growth factor (it is also known as anti-VEGF). Angiogenesis inhibitors are used as anticancer drugs, since growing cancers have a greater need for blood supply than normal tissue and must develop new blood vessels before progressing beyond a very small size. They include *aflibercept, *bevacizumab, and *thalidomide. Because of their action, some of these drugs are used in the treatment of wet age-related *macular degeneration.... angiogenesis inhibitor
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