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As discussed in this section, angiogenesis is a critical process in tumor growth and development. The predominant regulator of this pathological process is VEGF. Produced in response to a variety of cellular and environmental stimuli, VEGF has been shown to facilitate survival of existing vessels, contribute to vascular abnormalities that may impede effective delivery of antitumor compounds, and stimulate new vessel growth. Although researchers have learned a great deal about the role of VEGF in tumor biology, further investigation will continue to clarify how VEGF functions in the pathogenic development of tumors.
