Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor growth and it is regulated predominantly by several different growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors are probably the most important tissue factors responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation. VEGF protein family currently comprises several members: VEGF (or VEGF-A), VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, VEGF-F, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF is a key angiogenic growth factor and its level of expression is a critical marker for detection of the angiogenic diseases. The potent role of VEGF in tumor angiogenesis has been widely described in the past decade, being expressed in most types of nondigestive and digestive cancers. VEGF family members play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer (especially VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). VEGF-A is the most specific and prominent angiogenic factor among all family members and VEGFR-2 is the most important receptor in evaluating the angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer. Thus, VEGF overexpression may be considered as a diagnostic marker and as a poor prognostic factor of the disease.
Highlights
All human cells need oxygen and nutrients to survive and to ensure proper growth and differentiation
Positive expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF)-C was found to correlate significantly with depth of tumor invasion, lymphatic invasion and lymph node [48]. Both VEGF-C and VEGF-D are highly expressed in esophageal squamous cell cancer tissue, which may be related to the lymph node metastasis of cancer cells
VEGF-A is highly expressed in gallbladder carcinoma and correlates with poor prognosis, suggesting that VEGF-A expression could be used as a biomarker for predicting malignant behavior and for identifying a subset of patients who may benefit from antiVEGF-A therapies [65]
Summary
All human cells need oxygen and nutrients to survive and to ensure proper growth and differentiation. The formation of the vascular system (vasculogenesis) by the differentiation of endothelial cell precursors [1] is crucial to provide efficient blood supply and organ specific vascular functions [2]. This system needs to be maintained through angiogenesis, the process which summarizes a set of morphogenic events that expand and fine-tune the initial, more primitive, embryonic vascular network of arterioles, venules and highly branched capillaries [3]. The most important tissue factors responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation are VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) protein family and VEGFRs (VEGF receptors). Of endothelial cell proliferation, sprouting, migration and tube formation and is a powerful survival factor and permeability factor for endothelial cells [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
