[VEGF, anti-vEGF and diseases].
Angiogenesis is a rapidly growing research field. Most of the important vascular growth factors have been identified in the space of a few years, as well as factors responsible for the diferentiation of arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. The role of angiogenesis in tumor growth, exsudative retinopathies and some inflammatory diseases has been established in animal models and in the clinical setting Angiogenesis is necessary for oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues. Hypoxia is a major determinant of angiogenesis. During adult life the vascular network is remarkably stable and there is no active angiogenesis. The endothelium is quiescent, except in some physiological circumstances such as the female reproductive cycle and muscular exercise The same molecular and cellular mechanisms as those that occur during embryonic angiogenesis are involved in physiological and pathological neoangiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role, and VEGF inhibition is a promising therapeutic approach to some tumoral and ocular diseases.
Corvol
Pierre
P
Médecine vasculaire, Hôpital européen Georges Pompidou, 24, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris.
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor