Vascular endothelial growth factor.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, VEGF-A) is a major regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Several VEGF inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced cancer and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. This brief review provides a historic account of the challenges associated with the discovery of VEGF and the early steps in elucidating the role of this molecule in the regulation of angiogenesis.
Ferrara
Napoleone
N
Genentech Inc, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. nf@gene.com
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor