Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
A Simple Bioassay for the Evaluation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Published on: March 15, 2016
Exploring the Immunological Mechanisms Underlying the Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Activity in Tumors
Rodrigo Barbosa de Aguiar1, Jane Zveiter de Moraes1
1Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Several studies report the key role of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling on angiogenesis and on tumor growth. This has led to the development of a number of VEGF-targeted agents to treat cancer patients by disrupting the tumor blood vessel supply. Of them, bevacizumab, an FDA-approved humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF, is the most promising. Although the use of antibodies targeting the VEGF pathway has shown clinical benefits associated with a reduction in the tumor blood vessel density, the inhibition of VEGF-driven vascular effects is only part of the functional mechanism of these therapeutic agents in the tumor ecosystem. Compelling reports have demonstrated that VEGF confers, in addition to the activation of angiogenesis-related processes, immunosuppressive properties in tumors. It is also known that structural remodeling of the tumor blood vessel bed by anti-VEGF approaches affect the influx and activation of immune cells into tumors, which might influence the therapeutic results. Besides that, part of the therapeutic effects of antiangiogenic antibodies, including their role in the tumor vascular network, might be triggered by Fc receptors in an antigen-independent manner. In this mini-review, we explore the role of VEGF inhibitors in the tumor microenvironment with focus on the immune system, discussing around the functional contribution of both bevacizumab's Fab and Fc domains to the therapeutic results and the combination of bevacizumab therapy with other immune-stimulatory settings, including adjuvant-based vaccine approaches.
Insights
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors like bevacizumab impact tumor growth by affecting blood vessels and immune cells. Their therapeutic effects involve both antibody domains and combination with immune-stimulatory treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is crucial for tumor angiogenesis and growth.
- VEGF inhibitors, such as bevacizumab, are used in cancer therapy to disrupt tumor vasculature.
- VEGF also exhibits immunosuppressive properties within the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of VEGF inhibitors in the tumor microenvironment, focusing on immune system interactions.
- To discuss the functional contribution of bevacizumab's Fab and Fc domains to therapeutic outcomes.
- To examine the potential of combining bevacizumab therapy with immune-stimulatory approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on VEGF inhibitors, bevacizumab, and tumor immunology.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which anti-VEGF therapies modulate the tumor microenvironment.
- Exploration of antigen-independent effects mediated by antibody Fc domains.
Main Results:
- Anti-VEGF therapies affect not only tumor vascularization but also immune cell infiltration and activation.
- Bevacizumab's therapeutic efficacy may be influenced by both its antigen-binding (Fab) and Fc domains.
- Structural remodeling of tumor vasculature by anti-VEGF agents impacts immune cell dynamics.
Conclusions:
- VEGF inhibitors have multifaceted roles in cancer therapy, extending beyond anti-angiogenesis to immunomodulation.
- Bevacizumab's therapeutic effects are complex, involving interactions with the immune system and potentially Fc-mediated mechanisms.
- Combining bevacizumab with immune-stimulatory strategies, like vaccines, may enhance anti-tumor responses.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
01:29Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
01:17Factors Affecting Activity Coefficient
The activity coefficient value for an ion is close to one when the solution has almost zero ionic strength, i.e., when the solution shows close to ideal behavior. As the ionic strength of the solution increases from 0 to 0.1 mol/L, a...
01:17Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Mechanism
The mechanism starts with chain initiation, which involves two steps. In the first chain initiation step, a weak peroxide bond is homolytically cleaved upon mild heating to form two alkoxy radicals. In the second initiation step, a hydrogen atom is abstracted by the alkoxy...
01:27Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
01:28Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Osmolarity