Targeting VEGF pathway to normalize the vasculature: an emerging insight in cancer therapy

• Main Authors: Wu J, Tang Y, Liang X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2018-10-01
• Series: OncoTargets and Therapy
• Subjects: vascular normalization; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); anti-angiogenesis; treatment resistance，cancer therapy
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/targeting-vegf-pathway-to-normalize-the-vasculature-an-emerging-insigh-peer-reviewed-article-OTT

Jing-biao Wu, Ya-ling Tang, Xin-hua Liang State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology (Sichuan University), Chengdu Sichuan, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Vascular normalization is a new concept of targeting angiogenesis to restore vessel structure and function and to increase blood perfusion and delivery of drugs. It has been confirmed that vascular normalization can decrease relapse and benefit other cancer therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune cell therapy. The key point of this therapy is to inhibit pro-angiogenic factors and make it be balanced with anti-angiogenic factors, resulting in a mature and normal vessel characteristic. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key player in the process of tumor angiogenesis, and inhibiting VEGF is a primary approach to tumor vessel normalization. Herein, we review newly uncovered mechanisms governing angiogenesis and vascular normalization of cancer and place emphasis on targeting VEGF pathway to normalize the vasculature. Also, important methods to depress VEGF pathway and make tumor vascular are discussed. Keywords: vascular normalization, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), anti-angiogenesis, treatment resistance, cancer therapy