VEGF as a Key Mediator of Angiogenesis in Cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a homodimeric glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 45 kDa. It is the key mediator of angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), and binds two VEGF receptors (VEGF receptor-1 and VEGF receptor-2), which are expressed on vascular endothelial cells. In healthy humans, VEGF promotes angiogenesis in embryonic development and is important in wound healing in adults. VEGF is the key mediator of angiogenesis in cancer, in which it is up-regulated by oncogene expression, a variety of growth factors and also hypoxia. Angiogenesis is essential for cancer development and growth: before a tumor can grow beyond 1-2 mm, it requires blood vessels for…