title: Impact of VEGF gene polymorphisms in elderly cancer patients: clinical outcome and toxicity.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are the key regulators in angiogenesis and have been shown to play a significant role in the progression and prognosis of angiogenesis-related diseases, such as cancer. VEGF inhibitors are a current pharmacological tumoral strategy. However, despite the strong association between aging and cancer incidence and progression, recent findings suggest impaired angiogenesis accompanied by a reduced expression of VEGF in cells derived from aging subjects. Specific variations of VEGF genes have been demonstrated to be genetic determinants for susceptibility, outcome and therapy response, especially for the solid tumors. Considering the complications present in frail elderly patients, analysis of VEGF genetic polymorphisms in these subjects may further help in tailoring an angiogenic pharmacological strategy, and in improving our ability to better understand prognosis during therapy-related to cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Della-Morte
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riondino
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferroni
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palmirotta
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lauro
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guadagni
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roselli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: VEGF; VEGF inhibitors; angiogenesis; cancer; elderly; genetics; single nucleotide polymorphisms; tumor prognosis; vascular endothelial growth factors