VEGF Ligand

VEGF is an acronym for the vascular endothelial derived growth factor. VEGF is a protein produced by the cells that make up the lining of blood vessels (and others) and its role is to promote the development of blood vessels (angiogenesis). VEGF binds to a receptor located on the surface of some cells. This makes VEGF the 'ligand' for that receptor. (Please see my answer re: ligands for more details on that term.) Both VEGF and its receptor (VEGFR) are proteins.

Tumor cells are abnormal but they still need the nutrients provided by blood and need to get rid of waste products. Tumors that don't get a blood supply can only grow to an extremely small size. Tumors that do get a blood supply can get larger and also use the blood vessels to move to other parts of the body (metastasize). Cancer cells can either produce VEGF themselves or 'trick' nearby cells into making it. Either way, they cause blood vessels to come over to the tumor, feeding it. There are many other factors beside VEGF that can cause blood vessels to grow.

There are approved cancer drugs that block the VEGF:VEGFR interaction. An example is Avastin®. One reason why cancer can progress even when Avastin® is used is the presence of other things that can cause angiogenesis. Much current work is going into identifying the different factors that cause blood vessels to grow and to the development of drugs that can block these factors. Probably the best approach will be a 'cocktail' of different drugs that target several angiogenesis factors at once.

VEGF is an acronym for the vascular endothelial derived growth factor. VEGF is a protein produced by the cells that make up the lining of blood vessels (and others) and its role is to promote the development of blood vessels (angiogenesis). VEGF binds to a receptor located on the surface of some cells. This makes VEGF the 'ligand' for that receptor. (Please see my answer re: ligands for more details on that term.) Both VEGF and its receptor (VEGFR) are proteins.

Tumor cells are abnormal but they still need the nutrients provided by blood and need to get rid of waste products. Tumors that don't get a blood supply can only grow to an extremely small size. Tumors that do get a blood supply can get larger and also use the blood vessels to move to other parts of the body (metastasize). Cancer cells can either produce VEGF themselves or 'trick' nearby cells into making it. Either way, they cause blood vessels to come over to the tumor, feeding it. There are many other factors beside VEGF that can cause blood vessels to grow.

There are approved cancer drugs that block the VEGF:VEGFR interaction. An example is Avastin®. One reason why cancer can progress even when Avastin® is used is the presence of other things that can cause angiogenesis. Much current work is going into identifying the different factors that cause blood vessels to grow and to the development of drugs that can block these factors. Probably the best approach will be a 'cocktail' of different drugs that target several angiogenesis factors at once.