VEGF Family (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, PlGF) (VEGF/PlGF Family)

The VEGF family (VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, PlGF) comprises secreted proteins that control vascular and lymphatic formation and remodeling. These growth factors bind and activate VEGF receptors (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3), triggering intracellular signaling cascades essential for angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and vascular permeability. Dysregulation is implicated in cancer, inflammatory processes, and vascular diseases. Multiple approved drugs neutralize these proteins or block their receptors, and their inhibition poses notable but manageable safety risks.

Other names

VEGF-AVEGF-BVEGF-CPlGFVEGFvascular permeability factorplacental growth factorVEGF-B167VEGF-B186

Ligand neutralization (monoclonal antibody binds VEGF-A/PlGF, blocks receptor interaction), decoy receptor binding (fused VEGFR extracellular domains that sequester VEGF), inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase activity (small molecules block VEGFR signaling), RNA aptamer binding (direct inhibition of VEGF-A).