Vascular endothelial growth factor A and Angiopoietin-2 (VEGF-A and Ang-2) (VEGF and Ang-2)

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are key signaling proteins that cooperatively regulate angiogenesis and vascular stability. VEGF-A primarily drives the proliferation of endothelial cells and increases vascular permeability, leading to fluid leakage in tissues (UniProt P15692). Ang-2 acts as a ligand for the Tie2 receptor; in the presence of VEGF, it promotes vascular destabilization, inflammation, and further vessel sprouting (UniProt O15123). Dual targeting of these pathways is a therapeutic strategy designed to stabilize the vasculature more effectively than VEGF inhibition alone, particularly in retinal diseases like neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema (Heier et al., 2022, The Lancet). By blocking both pathways, drugs like faricimab reduce vascular leakage and inflammation while potentially extending the duration between treatments compared to monotherapy (FDA Vabysmo Label). This dual-action approach is also being explored in oncology to overcome resistance to standard anti-angiogenic therapies.

Other names

VEGF-A and ANGPT2Vascular endothelial growth factor and Angiopoietin-2Dual VEGF/Ang-2 inhibitionVEGF-A/Ang-2

Dual inhibition of VEGF-A and Ang-2. VEGF-A inhibition prevents endothelial cell proliferation and vascular leakage. Ang-2 inhibition promotes vascular stability and reduces sensitivity to VEGF, leading to synergistic reduction in leakage and inflammation.