text zoom
VEGF is one of the most potent and predominant known pro-angiogenic factors and is both present and genetically stable throughout the tumor life cycle. Preclinical evidence supports maintaining direct and continuous VEGF suppression over time. As tumors develop, continued VEGF suppression is thought to provide important ongoing antivascular effects that may inhibit further growth and spread of tumor cells. Conversely, withdrawal of an anti-VEGF agent has been shown to result in rapid regrowth of tumor vasculature. Therefore, one area of anti-angiogenesis research that is being pursued is the strategy of maintaining direct VEGF inhibition as tumors progress and supplementing it with selective targeting of other emergent pathways.
