Review of Preclinical and Clinical Results with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors for Therapeutic Angiogenesis.

Abstract

Therapeutic angiogenesis is a novel approach to the treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease not amenable to standard revascularization techniques. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of angiogenic proteins specific for endothelial cells and essential in the process of angiogenesis. Successful therapeutic angiogenesis has been demonstrated using VEGF in preclinical models. Based on initial clinical results, VEGF is a promising approach to ischemic vascular disease, but long-term safety and efficacy remain unproven.