Emerging pharmacotherapies for brain metastases: a spotlight on angiogenesis inhibitors.

Abstract

Introduction: Brain metastases represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients and are challenging to manage due to the protective blood-brain barrier and the aggressive nature of intracranial disease. Angiogenesis, particularly mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and integrin pathways, plays a critical role in the growth and progression of brain metastases. Inhibiting angiogenesis has emerged as a therapeutic strategy to control tumor progression, reduce edema, and improve clinical outcomes.

Area covered: This review summarizes the biological mechanisms underpinning angiogenesis in brain metastases, with a focus on VEGF and integrins as therapeutic targets. The role of bevacizumab, a monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody, is discussed in detail, particularly its established use in managing radiation necrosis. The review further explores FDA-approved angiogenesis inhibitors, emerging therapies targeting alternative pathways such as angiopoietin-2 and integrins, and the latest clinical trials assessing their efficacy. Combination strategies, particularly with immune checkpoint inhibitors and radiation, are highlighted as promising avenues for improving intracranial disease control.

Expert opinion: Anti-angiogenic therapies, while already well integrated into the management of radiation necrosis, are poised to expand into active treatment paradigms for brain metastases. Future advances are likely to focus on biomarker-driven patient selection, novel drug delivery technologies, and rational combination regimens. Angiogenesis inhibitors are expected to become a standard component of multimodal treatment approaches, moving beyond symptomatic control toward improving progression-free and overall survival in patients with brain metastases.