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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors as anti-angiogenic
Anand Veeravagu1, Andrew R Hsu, Weibo Cai
1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5484, USA.
Abstract:
New blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) is fundamental to the process of tumor growth, invasion, and metastatic dissemination. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of ligands and receptors are well established as key regulators of these processes. VEGF is a glycoprotein with mitogenic activity on vascular endothelial cells. Specifically, VEGF-receptor pathway activation results in signaling cascades that promote endothelial cell growth, migration, differentiation, and survival from pre-existing vasculature. Thus, the role of VEGF has been extensively studied in the pathogenesis and angiogenesis of human cancers. Recent identification of seven VEGF ligand variants (VEGF [A-F], PIGF) and three VEGF tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGFR- [1-3]) has led to the development of several novel inhibitory compounds. Clinical trials have shown inhibitors to this pathway (anti-VEGF therapies) are effective in reducing tumor size, metastasis and blood vessel formation. Clinically, this may result in increased progression free survival, overall patient survival rate and will expand the potential for combinatorial therapies. Having been first described in the 1980s, VEGF patenting activity since then has focused on anti-cancer therapeutics designed to inhibit tumoral vascular formation. This review will focus on patents which target VEGF-[A-F] and/or VEGFR-[1-3] for use in anti-cancer treatment.
Insights
Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. Anti-VEGF therapies show promise in increasing patient survival and enabling combination treatments for cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis rely on new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis).
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptors are critical regulators of angiogenesis and tumor progression.
- VEGF signaling promotes endothelial cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review patents targeting the VEGF family (VEGF [A-F], PIGF) and their receptors (VEGFR- [1-3]).
- To focus on anti-cancer therapeutics designed to inhibit tumor vascular formation via VEGF pathway inhibition.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of anti-VEGF strategies in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications and patent databases.
- Analysis of patents related to VEGF ligands (VEGF [A-F], PIGF) and receptors (VEGFR- [1-3]).
- Focus on therapeutic applications for anti-cancer treatment.
Main Results:
- Identification of seven VEGF ligand variants and three VEGFRs.
- Development of novel inhibitory compounds targeting the VEGF pathway.
- Clinical trials demonstrate efficacy of anti-VEGF therapies in reducing tumor size, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Anti-VEGF therapies are effective in reducing tumor burden and improving patient survival.
- Inhibition of the VEGF pathway offers potential for increased progression-free and overall survival.
- VEGF pathway inhibitors hold promise for combinatorial therapies in cancer treatment.
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