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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
09:04

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Published on: March 15, 2016

Mechanisms of adverse effects of anti-VEGF therapy for cancer

T Kamba1, D M McDonald

  • 1Department of Urology, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.

British Journal of Cancer
|May 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors used in cancer therapy can cause adverse effects by disrupting normal blood vessel maintenance. Understanding VEGF

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in normal physiological processes.
  • VEGF inhibitors are utilized in clinical oncology, but their use is associated with adverse effects.
  • These adverse effects stem from the disruption of cellular signaling pathways regulating the microvasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the basis of adverse effects associated with VEGF inhibitors in cancer therapy.
  • To understand the role of VEGF in normal physiology and its relation to microvascular regulation.
  • To compare the characteristics of tumor vasculature and normal organ vasculature.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cellular signaling pathways affected by VEGF inhibition.
  • Investigation of microvascular regulation and maintenance mechanisms.
  • Comparison of vascular changes in normal organs versus tumor tissues.

Main Results:

  • Suppression of VEGF-dependent signaling pathways leads to vascular disturbances in normal organs.
  • These disturbances include vascular regression and can be exacerbated by pathological conditions.
  • Tumor vessels share properties with the vasculature of normal organs.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding normal VEGF physiology provides insight into the adverse effects of VEGF inhibitors.
  • VEGF inhibition impacts both normal vasculature and tumor vasculature.
  • The shared properties highlight potential challenges and considerations in VEGF-targeted therapies.

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