Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

VEGF — oncology-focused definition

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) is a signaling protein that stimulates angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels—by binding to VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) on endothelial cells.

Oncology relevance:

• Tumors require angiogenesis for growth, survival, and metastasis.
• VEGF is often overexpressed in solid tumors, including colorectal, renal, lung, breast, and glioblastoma.
• Drives:
  • Tumor vascularization
  • Increased vascular permeability → tumor edema

Clinical significance (for oncology pharmacists):

• Therapeutic target:
  • Monoclonal antibodies: bevacizumab (anti-VEGF)
  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): sorafenib, sunitinib, axitinib (target VEGFR signaling)
• Biomarker for prognosis: High VEGF expression often correlates with aggressive disease and poor prognosis.
• Adverse effects of VEGF inhibitors: hypertension, proteinuria, impaired wound healing, bleeding, thromboembolism.

Key takeaway:

VEGF drives tumor angiogenesis, making it a critical target in solid tumor therapy and a biomarker for tumor aggressiveness.