VEGF receptor signaling in tumor angiogenesis.
The growth of human tumors and development of metastases depend on the de novo formation of blood vessels. The formation of new blood vessels is tightly regulated by specific growth factors that target receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the Flk-1/KDR RTK have been implicated as the key endothelial cell-specific factor signaling pathway required for pathological angiogenesis, including tumor neovascularization. Inhibition of the VEGF tyrosine kinase signaling pathway blocks new blood vessel formation in growing tumors, leading to stasis or regression of tumor growth. Advances in understanding the biology of angiogenesis have led to the development of several therapeutic modalities for the inhibition of the VEGF tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. A number of these modalities are under investigation in clinical studies to evaluate their potential to treat human cancers.
McMahon
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SUGEN, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA. jerry-mcmahon@SUGEN.com
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor