Question

Angiogenesis is an essential property of many solid tumors, and the target of several anticancer drugs. One clinically important angiogenic pathway involves vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its cognate receptors.

a) What is VEGF and how is it important in tumor growth and survival?

b). What agents target the VEGF pathway and what are their mechanisms of action?

c.) What kinds of tumors are effectively treated with agents that target the VEGF pathway?

d) What are the important toxicities of the agents that target the VEGF pathway?

Answer 1

a) vascular endothelial growth factor is a produced by many types of cells such as macrophages, platelets and tumor cells. these are involved in many physiological functions such as haematopoeisis, bone formation and tumor signailing pathways. they act as anti-apoptotic factors and prevent cells undergoing programmed cell death thus help in tumour growth and survival by ensuring anti-apoptotic activities and angiogenesis.

b) there are many agents that target agaisnt VEGF pathway one such example is VEGF apatamers (e.g. pegaptanib) which are small stable RNA like molecules which binds to VEGF and blocks functioning of VEGFpathways by binding to VEGF istself and do not let it bind to VEGF receptors. other types include mAB (bevacizumab) against VEGF which neutralizes VEGF itself.

c) epithelia cells tumors are effectively treated with anti-VEGF agents.

d) associated toxicities with anti-VEGF agents includes cardiovascular and renal toxicities as well as wound healing and tissue repair disturbances.