title: The multifaceted activity of VEGF in angiogenesis - Implications for therapy responses.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key growth factor driving angiogenesis (i.e. the formation of new blood vessels) in health and disease. Pharmacological blockade of VEGF signaling to inhibit tumor angiogenesis is clinically approved but the survival benefit is limited as patients invariably acquire resistance. This is partially mediated by the intrinsic flexibility of tumor cells to adapt to VEGF-blockade. However, it has become clear that tumor stromal cells also contribute to the resistance. Originally, VEGF was thought to specifically target endothelial cells (ECs) but it is now clear that many stromal cells also respond to VEGF signaling, making anti-VEGF therapy more complex than initially anticipated. A more comprehensive understanding of the complex responses of stromal cells to VEGF-blockade might inform the design of improved anti-angiogenic agents.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U. Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moens
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U. Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jermaine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goveia
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U. Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Stapor
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U. Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cantelmo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U. Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: peter.carmeliet@vib-kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carmeliet
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Anti-angiogenic therapy; Anti-angiogenic therapy resistance; Cancer; Tumor microenvironment; Vascular endothelial growth factor