<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor growth and it is regulated predominantly by several different growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors are probably the most important tissue factors responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation. VEGF protein family currently comprises several members: VEGF (or VEGF-A), VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, VEGF-F, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF is a key angiogenic growth factor and its level of expression is a critical marker for detection of the angiogenic diseases. The potent role of VEGF in tumor angiogenesis has been widely described in the past decade, being expressed in most types of nondigestive and digestive cancers. VEGF family members play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer (especially VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). VEGF-A is the most specific and prominent angiogenic factor among all family members and VEGFR-2 is the most important receptor in evaluating the angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer. Thus, VEGF overexpression may be considered as a diagnostic marker and as a poor prognostic factor of the disease.</p></abstract>

Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor growth and it is regulated predominantly by several different growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors are probably the most important tissue factors responsible for angioblast differentiation and tube formation. VEGF protein family currently comprises several members: VEGF (or VEGF-A), VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGF-D, VEGF-F, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. VEGF is a key angiogenic growth factor and its level of expression is a critical marker for detection of the angiogenic diseases. The potent role of VEGF in tumor angiogenesis has been widely described in the past decade, being expressed in most types of nondigestive and digestive cancers. VEGF family members play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer (especially VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). VEGF-A is the most specific and prominent angiogenic factor among all family members and VEGFR-2 is the most important receptor in evaluating the angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer. Thus, VEGF overexpression may be considered as a diagnostic marker and as a poor prognostic factor of the disease.

VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies: a review of the literature

Gastroenterology Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Romania

Radiology Department, University Hospital, Craiova, Romania

Nijmegen Institute for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (N4i), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Gastrointestinal Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark

“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

Surgery I Department, Floreasca Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

Neurology Department, Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Craiova, Romania

Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Angiogenesis is a crucial event for tumor growth and it is regulated predominantly by several different growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor...

VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies: a review of the literature

Publié en ligne: 14 oct. 2015

Pages: 199 - 208

Reçu: 18 avr. 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rjim-2015-0027

Mots clés
Angiogenesis, VEGF, pancreatic cancer

© 2015 M.I. Costache et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer and other malignancies: a review of the literature

Publié en ligne: 14 oct. 2015

Pages: 199 - 208

Reçu: 18 avr. 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rjim-2015-0027

Mots clésAngiogenesis, VEGF, pancreatic cancer

© 2015 M.I. Costache et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Public License.

Mots clés
Angiogenesis, VEGF, pancreatic cancer