Activation of the VEGF pathway in glioblastoma

Within glioblastoma, cells adjacent to necrotic areas are thought to up-regulate VEGF secondary to hypoxia, a common characteristic observed in tumor microenvironments. To further elucidate this relationship in glioblastoma and other cancers, Ziemer et al conducted a study using EF5, a known marker for hypoxia. The results of this study showed that, in all tumors that were highly positive for VEGF, the VEGF mRNA signal pattern was directly related with the percentage of EF5 binding (indicating hypoxic regions).^1,2

Conversely, for all tumors studied, regions with relatively low levels of EF5 binding had relatively low or undetectable VEGF mRNA.¹

Adapted with permission from Ziemer et al, Neoplasia 3(6):500-508. (2001).

References:

1.

Ziemer L, Koch C, Maity A, et al. Neoplasia. 2001;3(6):500-508.

2.

Shweiki D, Itin A, Soffer D, Keshet E. Nature. 1992;359:843-845.