VEGF as a therapeutic target in cancer
- PMID: 16301831
- DOI: 10.1159/000088479
VEGF as a therapeutic target in cancer
Abstract
Tumors require nutrients and oxygen in order to grow, and new blood vessels, formed by the process of angiogenesis, provide these substrates. The key mediator of angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is induced by many characteristics of tumors, most importantly hypoxia. Therefore, VEGF is an appealing target for anticancer therapeutics. In addition, VEGF is easy to access as it circulates in the blood and acts directly on endothelial cells. VEGF-mediated angiogenesis is rare in adult humans (except wound healing and female reproductive cycling), and so targeting the molecule should not affect other physiological processes. Tumor blood vessels, formed under the influence of VEGF, are disorganized, tortuous and leaky with high interstitial pressure, reducing access for chemotherapies. Inhibiting VEGF would reduce the vessel abnormality and increase the permeability of the tumor to chemotherapies. Several approaches to targeting VEGF have been investigated. The most common strategies have been receptor-targeted molecules and VEGF-targeting molecules. The disadvantage of receptor-targeted approaches is that the VEGF receptors also bind different members of the VEGF super-family and affect systems other than angiogenesis. The best-studied and most advanced approach to VEGF inhibition is the humanized monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (Avastin), which is the only anti-angiogenic agent approved for treatment of cancer.
Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Similar articles
-
VEGF as a key mediator of angiogenesis in cancer.Oncology. 2005;69 Suppl 3:4-10. doi: 10.1159/000088478. Epub 2005 Nov 21. Oncology. 2005. PMID: 16301830 Review.
-
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors in tumor angiogenesis and malignancies.Integr Cancer Ther. 2005 Dec;4(4):315-21. doi: 10.1177/1534735405282557. Integr Cancer Ther. 2005. PMID: 16282508 Review.
-
Bevacizumab (Avastin), a humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody for cancer therapy.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jul 29;333(2):328-35. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.132. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005. PMID: 15961063 Review.
-
Role of the VEGF/VEGFR axis in cancer biology and therapy.Adv Cancer Res. 2012;114:237-67. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386503-8.00006-5. Adv Cancer Res. 2012. PMID: 22588059 Review.
-
[VEGF and its receptors as therapeutic target in cancer therapy].Przegl Lek. 2006;63(3):155-7. Przegl Lek. 2006. PMID: 16967703 Review. Polish.
Cited by
-
Novel roles of Src in cancer cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, vascular permeability, microinvasion and metastasis.Life Sci. 2016 Jul 15;157:52-61. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.05.036. Epub 2016 May 28. Life Sci. 2016. PMID: 27245276 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Vascular permeability--the essentials.Ups J Med Sci. 2015;120(3):135-43. doi: 10.3109/03009734.2015.1064501. Epub 2015 Jul 29. Ups J Med Sci. 2015. PMID: 26220421 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Peptide vaccines and targeting HER and VEGF proteins may offer a potentially new paradigm in cancer immunotherapy.Future Oncol. 2012 Aug;8(8):961-87. doi: 10.2217/fon.12.95. Future Oncol. 2012. PMID: 22894670 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Synergic antitumor effect of SKLB1002 and local hyperthermia in 4T1 and CT26.Clin Exp Med. 2014 May;14(2):203-13. doi: 10.1007/s10238-012-0225-2. Epub 2012 Dec 21. Clin Exp Med. 2014. PMID: 23263406
-
Newly identified biologically active and proteolysis-resistant VEGF-A isoform VEGF111 is induced by genotoxic agents.J Cell Biol. 2007 Dec 17;179(6):1261-73. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200703052. J Cell Biol. 2007. PMID: 18086921 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
