Targeting VEGF ligands and receptors in cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial growth factor that mediates tumor angiogenesis, and thus many therapeutic agents are being developed to target VEGF or its receptors in the treatment of cancer. Early-phase clinical data indicate that such agents are effective and might lack the nonspecific toxicities of conventional chemotherapies. The anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab has also shown promising efficacy in Phase III studies. Further research is required, especially into patient selection, the autocrine and paracrine VEGF effector functions in different malignancies, and the long-term safety of these compounds, but it is probable that VEGF and its receptors will soon be important targets in the treatment of cancer.