VEGF Expression Regulation in Gastric Cancer

The multitude of growth factors expressed by gastric cancer cells produce effects via autocrine and paracrine pathways. VEGF released by tumor cells induces neovascularization within carcinoma tissue, promoting angiogenesis and the progression of gastric carcinomas, particularly those of the intestinal subtype.¹ As in other malignancies, high VEGF expression is one of the characteristic features of gastric carcinomas.²

VEGF in the autocrine loop¹

VEGF is one of the growth factors released by gastric cancer cells that form a feedback loop to the cancer cells, and also induces angiogenesis in endothelial cells.

Reprinted with permission from Smith MG, Hold GL, Tahara E, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2006;12:2979-2990. Figure 5.

References:

1.

Smith MG, Hold GL, Tahara E, et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2006;12:2979-2990. PMID: 16718776

2.

Kösem M, Tuncer I, Kotan Ç, et al. Hepatogastroenterology. 2009;56:1236-1240. PMID: 19760978