Pharmacological characterization of CP-547,632, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer therapy.

Signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFRs) is a key pathway initiating endothelial cell proliferation and migration resulting in angiogenesis, a requirement for human tumor growth and metastasis. Abrogation of signaling through VEGFR by a variety of approaches has been demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth. Small molecule inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinase have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, inhibit tumor growth, and prevent metastases.