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While there are more than 100 distinct types of cancer (and considerable heterogeneity within each tumor type), there exists a remarkable similarity in the pathologic traits that collectively drive tumor growth. Across most—if not all—malignancies, sustained angiogenesis is considered to be one of these central hallmarks of cancer.1
In their seminal review paper, “The Hallmarks of Cancer,” Hanahan and Weinberg proposed 6 acquired capabilities of cancer cells and gave examples of possible enabling mechanisms.1
| Acquired Capability | Possible Cancer-enabling Mechanism |
| 1. Self-sufficiency in growth signals | Oncogene activation (Activated H-Ras) |
| 2. Evasion of apoptosis or cell death signals | Production of survival growth factors, such as IGF |
| 3. Insensitivity to antigrowth signals | Disruption of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) pathway |
| 4. Limitless replicative potential | Gain of telomerase function |
| 5. Sustained angiogenesis | Induction of VEGF production |
| 6. Tissue invasion and metastasis | Inactivation of E-cadherin |
The establishment of “sustained angiogenesis” as one of the fundamental “hallmarks of cancer” is based on more than a century of research. To learn more about these research milestones, view the History of VEGF research section.
