The role of the VEGF signaling pathway in tumor angiogenesis

Abstract

While multiple signaling pathways are implicated in the regulation of vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and remodeling of the vessel wall, the vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF)-A pathway plays essential roles during development and physiological homeostasis. VEGF-A, the main focus of this chapter, belongs to a gene family that also includes VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and placenta growth factor (PlGF). Two tyrosine kinases, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, bind VEGF-A, but VEGFR2 is the main signaling receptor. The key role of VEGF-A in the pathogenesis of cancers and blinding ocular diseases has been established over the past two decades. Elucidation of the molecular and biological properties of VEGF-A led to major advances in cancer therapy and to the first effective treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.