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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
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Vascular endothelial generating factor pathway in ovarian cancer
Yuxin Zhao1, Qiaochu Chen1, Jia Li2
1Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Journal of Ovarian Research
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drives ovarian cancer progression, invasion, and chemoresistance. Targeting VEGF offers a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes and prolong survival in patients with this lethal malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages.
- Current treatments like surgery and chemotherapy offer only temporary control, with recurrence and resistance being common.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in tumor growth, spread, and treatment resistance in ovarian cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in ovarian cancer.
- To identify upstream regulators and downstream pathways of VEGF in the tumor microenvironment.
- To review VEGF-targeted therapies for ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of existing research on VEGF signaling in ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of upstream regulators of VEGF expression.
- Delineation of downstream pathways influenced by VEGF.
- Review of clinical data for VEGF-targeted agents.
Main Results:
- VEGF promotes neo-angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
- VEGF signaling is implicated in malignant ascites formation.
- VEGF-targeted therapies aim to re-engineer tumor vasculature to restore drug sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- VEGF is a central player in ovarian cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
- Targeting VEGF through molecular therapeutics and immunotherapies presents a rational strategy to overcome treatment limitations.
- VEGF-directed approaches hold promise for precision medicine, potentially improving patient survival and prolonging therapeutic benefit.
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