Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (VEGF)

The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mediated angiogenic pathway is a fundamental signaling system that regulates the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and the development of the embryonic vascular system (vasculogenesis) (Ferrara & Adamis, 2016, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). This pathway is primarily activated by the binding of VEGF ligands, most notably VEGF-A, to their cognate tyrosine kinase receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, on the surface of endothelial cells (UniProt P15692). Upon activation, these receptors trigger intracellular signaling cascades, including the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways, which promote endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and migration, while also increasing vascular permeability (StatPearls, 2023). In pathological conditions such as cancer, tumors often overexpress VEGF to stimulate the growth of a dedicated blood supply, which is essential for tumor progression and metastatic spread (NCI, 2024). Therapeutic targeting of this pathway has become a cornerstone of modern medicine, utilizing monoclonal antibodies to sequester ligands or small-molecule inhibitors to block receptor kinase activity, thereby treating various malignancies and neovascular eye diseases (PubMed, PMID: 27118268).

Other names

VEGF-mediated angiogenic pathwayVEGF signaling pathwayVascular endothelial growth factor pathwayVascular permeability factor pathwayAngiogenesis pathway

Inhibition of VEGF ligands, blocking of VEGF receptors, or inhibition of intracellular receptor tyrosine kinase domains to prevent downstream signaling and suppress angiogenesis.