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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a survival factor for tumour cells: implications for anti-angiogenic therapy. 2002

Judith H Harmey, and David Bouchier-Hayes
Department of Surgery, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland. jharmey@rcsi.ie

Angiogenesis is central to both the growth and metastasis of solid tumours. Anti-angiogenic strategies result in blood vessel regression accompanied by tumour cell apoptosis. Radiotherapy and many chemotherapeutic agents kill tumours by inducing apoptotic cell death. We propose that, in addition to its role as an angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can act as a survival factor for tumour cells protecting them from apoptosis. Thus anti-angiogenics, in particular those directed against VEGF, have multiple anti-tumour effects. We suggest that anti-VEGF strategies prevent vessel growth and block a tumour cell survival factor, VEGF, rendering tumour cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition, as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been shown to increase VEGF expression, anti-VEGF strategies may overcome therapy- induced tumour cell resistance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008222 Lymphokines Soluble protein factors generated by activated lymphocytes that affect other cells, primarily those involved in cellular immunity. Lymphocyte Mediators,Mediators, Lymphocyte
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D015687 Cell Hypoxia A condition of decreased oxygen content at the cellular level. Anoxia, Cellular,Cell Anoxia,Hypoxia, Cellular,Anoxia, Cell,Anoxias, Cell,Anoxias, Cellular,Cell Anoxias,Cell Hypoxias,Cellular Anoxia,Cellular Anoxias,Cellular Hypoxia,Cellular Hypoxias,Hypoxia, Cell,Hypoxias, Cell,Hypoxias, Cellular
D016228 Endothelial Growth Factors These growth factors are soluble mitogens secreted by a variety of organs. The factors are a mixture of two single chain polypeptides which have affinity to heparin. Their molecular weight are organ and species dependent. They have mitogenic and chemotactic effects and can stimulate endothelial cells to grow and synthesize DNA. The factors are related to both the basic and acidic FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTORS but have different amino acid sequences. Endothelial Cell-Derived Growth Factors,alpha-Endothelial Growth Factor,beta-Endothelial Growth Factor,ECDGF,Endo-GF,Endothelial Growth Factor,Endothelial Growth Factor Polypeptides,Endothelial Cell Derived Growth Factors,Growth Factor, Endothelial,Growth Factor, alpha-Endothelial,Growth Factor, beta-Endothelial,Growth Factors, Endothelial,alpha Endothelial Growth Factor,beta Endothelial Growth Factor
D017024 Chemotherapy, Adjuvant Drug therapy given to augment or stimulate some other form of treatment such as surgery or radiation therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is commonly used in the therapy of cancer and can be administered before or after the primary treatment. Adjuvant Chemotherapy,Drug Therapy, Adjuvant,Adjuvant Drug Therapy
D017209 Apoptosis A regulated cell death mechanism characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA, at regularly spaced, internucleosomal sites, i.e., DNA FRAGMENTATION. It is genetically programmed and serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth. Apoptosis, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Intrinsic Pathway,Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis,Classic Apoptosis,Classical Apoptosis,Programmed Cell Death,Programmed Cell Death, Type I,Apoptoses, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptoses, Intrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Caspase-Dependent,Apoptosis, Classic,Apoptosis, Classical,Caspase Dependent Apoptosis,Cell Death, Programmed,Classic Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptosis,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptosis
D042442 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A family of angiogenic proteins that are closely-related to VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR A. They play an important role in the growth and differentiation of vascular as well as lymphatic endothelial cells. VEGFs

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