Abstract
Background: Treatment strategies targeting angiogenesis have revealed promising results in preclinical studies and early clinical trials in patients with glioblastomas. Objective: This review evaluates the preclinical and clinical data for cediranib (AZD2171), a potent oral inhibitor of the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase. Methods: We summarize both preclinical and clinical data for cediranib, with a focus on the treatment of glioblastomas. Results/conclusion: Cediranib is an effective drug in patients with glioblastoma, acting through inhibition of angiogenesis and normalization of tumor vasculature. Reduction of vasogenic brain edema is a key component of its treatment effect in this patient population. The primary side effects of cediranib include fatigue, diarrhea and hypertension.
Acknowledgements
This work has been supported by the NIH (R21CA117079, R01CA129371, KCA125440A to TTB), the Richard and Nancy Simches Endowment for Brain Tumor Research, and the Montesi Family Fund.