Pivotal role of vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in tumor angiogenesis

Abstract

The shaping of new blood vessels is a significant event in cancer growth and metastasis. Therefore, the molecular system of cancer angiogenesis has garnered considerable interest in cancer research. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor pathway are recognized as the key regulators of the angiogenic process. Activation of the VEGF/VEGF-receptor pathway initiates signaling cascades that promote endothelial cell growth, migration, and differentiation. Recently, VEGF was shown to play a role in the recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells to neovascularization sites. The role of VEGF in promoting tumor angiogenesis and the occurrence of human cancers has led to the rational design and development of agents that selectively target this pathway. Moreover, these anti-VEGF/VEGF receptor agents show therapeutic potential by inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth in preclinical models. In this review, we summarize the role of the VEGF pathway during tumor angiogenesis.

HIF-1α and mTOR – Possible Novel Strategies of Targeted Therapies in p16-positive and -negative HNSCC

“…Moreover, there could be unknown HPV-related mechanisms of drug resistance that would affect the impact of selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In response to tyrosine kinase-inhibiting proteins HPV-related cells could also provide proangiogenic factors like VEGF or HIF-1α as compensatory up-regulation mechanisms to keep up support for tumor vascularization (63,64).…”

Angiogénesis y hemostasia en cáncer colorrectal

“…El VEGF secretado se une a su receptor en la superficie de las células endoteliales y además aumenta la expresión de MMP en las células tumorales. Esto genera el proceso de la angiogénesis y desencadena el crecimiento de células endoteliales, su proliferación y migración 10 . Se pueden distinguir cuatro etapas subsecuentes a la activación de las células endoteliales: 1) degradación de la membrana basal y la matriz extracelular por enzimas proteolíticas; 2) proliferación de células endoteliales; 3) retracción de los pericitos y migración de las células endoteliales, que constituyen cordones celulares sólidos y 4) formación de nuevos vasos, anastomosándose con vasos preexistentes 12,13 .…”

Angiogenesis and hemostasis in colorectal cancer

“…The secreted VEGF binds to its receptor on the surface of endothelial cells and, in addition, increases MMP expression in tumor cells. This generates the angiogenesis process and triggers endothelial cells growth, proliferation, and migration 10 . Four stages subsequent to endothelial cells activation can be distinguished: (1) Basement membrane and extracellular matrix degradation is produced by proteolytic enzymes, (2) endothelial cell proliferation, (3) pericytes retraction and endothelial cell migration, which form solid cellular cords, and (4) formation of new vessels, anastomosing with preexisting vessels 12,13 .…”

“…Angiogenesis is the formation of new vessels from those already existing 10 . Blood vessel cells are maintained at rest, but they are able to divide in response to stimuli and generate neoangiogenesis.…”