Angiogenesis regulatory pathway

The angiogenesis regulatory pathway is a complex signaling network that controls the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. It is primarily governed by the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family and its associated receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR-1, -2, and -3), which trigger endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival (Ferrara & Adamis, 2016, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Under normal physiological conditions, this pathway is tightly regulated to support processes such as wound repair and the menstrual cycle; however, its dysregulation is a key driver in various pathologies, most notably cancer and neovascular ocular diseases (Carmeliet, 2005, Nature). In oncology, tumors exploit this pathway to secure a dedicated blood supply, facilitating growth beyond a few millimeters and providing a conduit for metastatic spread (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011, Cell). Therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway include monoclonal antibodies like bevacizumab, which sequesters VEGF-A, and multi-kinase inhibitors like sunitinib that block VEGFR signaling (PubMed, 28407935). While effective, these therapies are often associated with specific toxicities such as hypertension and impaired wound healing due to the systemic inhibition of physiological vascular maintenance (Chen & Cleck, 2009, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology).

Other names

Angiogenic signaling cascadeNeovascularization pathwayVEGF signaling pathway

Inhibition of pro-angiogenic ligands (e.g., VEGF-A) or their cognate receptor tyrosine kinases (e.g., VEGFR-2) to disrupt downstream signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK, thereby preventing endothelial cell activation and new vessel growth.