VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies: a review of the literature

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor growth and it is regulated predominantly by several different growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors are probably the most important tissue factors responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation. VEGF protein family currently comprises several members: VEGF (or VEGF-A), VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, VEGF-F, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF is a key angiogenic growth factor and its level of expression is a critical marker for detection of the angiogenic diseases. The potent role of VEGF in tumor angiogenesis has been widely described in the past decade, being expressed in most types of nondigestive and digestive cancers. VEGF family members play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer (especially VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). VEGF-A is the most specific and prominent angiogenic factor among all family members and VEGFR-2 is the most important receptor in evaluating the angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer. Thus, VEGF overexpression may be considered as a diagnostic marker and as a poor prognostic factor of the disease.

Optimized Bioactive Glass: the Quest for the Bony Graft

“…However, according to the controversy reported on the use of growth factors such as BMPs for biomaterial doping, alternative osteoinductive factors without side effects must be investigated to warrant the safety of these innovative strategies . Accordingly, our group has just started a research program on the potential of nutrients (known for their ability to promote osteoblastogenesis and subsequent bone formation) as doping molecules for biomaterials.…”

Periostin promotes tumor angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer via Erk/VEGF signaling

“…Among these, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) and its downstream vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway have critical roles [16–18]. In particular, VEGF is probably the most important tissue factor and a key angiogenic growth factor that responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation [17]. Thus, VEGF overexpression not only considered as a diagnostic marker, but also a poor prognostic factor of PaC.…”

The Association Between Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Human Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

“…Expression level of VEGF represents an important marker for the detection of angiogenic diseases. VEGF aberrant expression was identified in most types of digestive cancers, including pancreatic cancer, being considered a diagnostic marker and a poor prognostic factor of the disease (14). In vitro studies demonstrated that VEGF stimulation led to a metabolic transition from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cell lines via HIF1α up-regulation (15).…”