VEGF and angiogenesis in glioblastoma

...The VEGF signaling pathway plays an important role in gliomagenesis and activation is closely related with brain tumor development via vascular formation, observations that coincide with our finding that VEGF promoted tumor angiogenesis resulting in rapid growth of [glioblastoma].

— Oka et al.¹

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant type of brain tumor in adults. Despite aggressive therapy, the average survival time of a patient with glioblastoma is less than 1 year, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 5%.² Glioblastoma displays vascular and endothelial cell proliferation, and therefore, blocking angiogenesis (new vessel formation) has been suggested as a potential means to inhibit glioblastoma growth.^3,4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated as a central mediator of angiogenesis in glioblastoma. In vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed a correlation between tumor grade and VEGF expression in gliomas. Additionally, studies in animal models have shown that inhibiting VEGF function inhibits growth of glioma cells in vivo and causes regression of blood vessels.³

In this section, you will find information on the implications of VEGF in glioblastoma, including evidence to support the prevalence of VEGF expression in glioblastoma, as well as the potential role of VEGF as a prognostic factor.

For more information on a specific topic regarding VEGF in glioblastoma, click on the links below.

References:

1.

Oka N, Soeda A, Inagaki A, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007;360:553-559.

2.

Steiner H, Karcher S, Mueller M, et al. J NeuroOnc. 2004;66:129-138.

3.

Maity A, Pore N, Lee J, et al. Cancer Res. 2000;60:5879-5886.

4.

Kim KJ, Li B, Winer J, et al. Nature. 1993;362(6423):841-844.