Researchers are now asking if inhibiting angiogenesis can slow down or prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells in humans.

To answer this question, almost two dozen angiogenesis inhibitors are currently being tested in cancer patients. The inhibitors being tested fall into several different categories, depending on their mechanism of action. Some inhibit endothelial cells directly, while others inhibit the angiogenesis signaling cascade or block the ability of endothelial cells to break down the extracellular matrix.