VEGF and angiopoietin signaling in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis

P Saharinen, L Eklund, K Pulkki, P Bono… - Trends in molecular …, 2011 - cell.com
P Saharinen, L Eklund, K Pulkki, P Bono, K Alitalo
Trends in molecular medicine, 2011cell.com
Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth and dissemination, and lymphatic vessels as
additional conduits for metastatic spread. The identification of growth factor receptor
pathways regulating angiogenesis has led to the clinical approval of the first antiangiogenic
molecules targeted against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–VEGF receptor
(VEGFR)-2 pathway. However, in many cases resistance to anti-VEGF–VEGFR therapy
occurs, and thus far the clinical benefit has been limited to only modest improvements in …
Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth and dissemination, and lymphatic vessels as additional conduits for metastatic spread. The identification of growth factor receptor pathways regulating angiogenesis has led to the clinical approval of the first antiangiogenic molecules targeted against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 pathway. However, in many cases resistance to anti-VEGF–VEGFR therapy occurs, and thus far the clinical benefit has been limited to only modest improvements in overall survival. Therefore, novel treatment modalities are required. Here, we discuss the members of the VEGF–VEGFR family as well as the angiopoietin growth factors and their Tie receptors as potential novel targets for antiangiogenic and antilymphangiogenic therapies.
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