Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Antiangiogenic
Introduction
Antiangiogenic refers to a chemical or biological agent that inhibits or greatly reduces formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
These agents are sometimes used to combat cancer by starving tumors of the blood needed to grow and spread.
The pharmaceutical thalidomide is such an antiangiogenic agent.
When pregnant women take an antiangiogenic agent, the developing fetus will not form blood vessels properly and thereby stop the proper development of fetal limbs and circulatory systems. The results of the late 1950s and early 1960s when pregnant women were given the drug were children with tiny flippers for arms and legs.
External Link(s)
- http://www.google.com/search?q=thalidomide+cancer New blood vessel inhibitors
- http://www.google.com/search?q=antiangiogenic+cancer New blood vessel inhibitors
Editor-In-Chief: Template:WikiDoc Cardiology News C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]