Regulation of VEGF-A expression and VEGF-A-targeted therapy in malignant tumors

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2024 Apr 30;150(5):221. doi: 10.1007/s00432-024-05714-5.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a highly conserved dimeric glycoprotein, is a key regulatory gene and a marker molecule of angiogenesis. The upregulation of VEGF-A facilitates the process of tumor vascularization, thereby fostering the initiation and progression of malignant neoplasms. Many genes can adjust the angiogenesis of tumors by changing the expression of VEGF-A. In addition, VEGF-A also exhibits immune regulatory properties, which directly or indirectly suppresses the antitumor activity of immune cells. The emergence of VEGF-A-targeted therapy alone or in rational combinations has revolutionized the treatment of various cancers. This review discusses how diverse mechanisms in various tumors regulate VEGF-A expression to promote tumor angiogenesis and the role of VEGF-A in tumor immune microenvironment. The application of drugs targeting VEGF-A in tumor therapy is also summarized including antibody molecule drugs and traditional Chinese medicine.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Bevacizumab; Expression regulation; Traditional Chinese medicine; Tumor immunity; VEGF-A.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy* / methods
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / metabolism

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors