vascular endothelial growth factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a protein that stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. This is a normal process in growth and tissue repair, but it also plays a crucial role in the progression of tumors.12

When tumors develop the ability to synthesize VEGF, they can induce endothelial cells to form capillaries that penetrate the tumor. These endothelial cells then secrete growth factors that further stimulate tumor cell growth and motility, creating a mutual stimulation between tumor and endothelial cells. Cancer cells also produce proteins that inhibit blood vessel growth, and a balance between these inhibitors and stimulators determines if a tumor begins to develop capillaries. Angiogenesis inhibitors are being explored as potential therapies for cancer.132