Summary of VEGF in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

Both translational and clinical research continue to offer a more in-depth understanding of the significance of angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The loss of function of the von Hippel-Lindau gene (VHL) leads to high VEGF expression and angiogenesis, a critical step in the pathobiology of RCC. Several reports have demonstrated the prevalence of VEGF expression in the vast majority of RCCs and still other reports have implicated VEGF as an important prognostic factor.

Further research is necessary to better define the relationship between prognosis and VEGF and angiogenesis in RCC.