Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenesis-related factors (VEGF/Angiogenesis factors)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its associated angiogenesis-related factors constitute a critical signaling network that regulates the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) [NIH, Nature]. The VEGF family includes several ligands, most notably VEGF-A, which binds to and activates receptor tyrosine kinases such as VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 on endothelial cells [NIH, AHA Journals]. This activation triggers downstream pathways like PI3K/Akt and MAPK, promoting endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival [NIH, Antbio]. In pathological contexts, such as cancer, tumors overexpress these factors to recruit a blood supply, facilitating growth and metastasis [NIH, Wikipedia]. Consequently, this pathway has become a primary target for therapeutic intervention, with drugs like bevacizumab and various tyrosine kinase inhibitors designed to inhibit VEGF signaling [NIH, AHA Journals]. Beyond oncology, targeting these factors is essential in treating ocular diseases characterized by neovascularization, such as age-related macular degeneration [Wikipedia, NIH]. In addition to the VEGF family, other angiogenesis-related factors such as angiopoietins, fibroblast growth factors (FGF), and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) play complementary roles in stabilizing and maturing the newly formed vasculature [NIH, Wikipedia]. These factors often act in concert with VEGF to drive the 'angiogenic switch' in tumors and other diseased tissues [NIH].

Other names

VEGF pathwayAngiogenic factorsVascular permeability factor (VPF)VEGF familyAngiogenesis-related factors

Neutralization of circulating VEGF ligands, inhibition of VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity, and blockade of VEGF receptor binding sites [NIH, AHA Journals].