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VEGF and tumorigenesis

Oka et al evaluated in vitro and in vivo effects of VEGF on the properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs) derived from human glioblastomas. Evidence from previous studies had suggested that CSCs are found in malignant tumor cells and play a pivotal role in tumor initiation, growth, and recurrence. Oka at el demonstrated that VEGF did not affect the property of CSCs in vitro. However, the injection of mouse brains with VEGF-expressing CSCs led to massive expansion of vascular-rich glioblastoma and was associated with high morbidity. Based on these results, the authors suggested that VEGF promotes tumorigenesis via angiogenesis and that VEGF induces the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in the vascular-rich tumor environment of glioblastoma.1,11

VEGF Pathways
Kaplan–Meier survival curve showing the rapid onset of high tumor-induced morbidity. All mice injected with EGFP-VEGF-X01GB cells showed signs of tumor-induced morbidity within 64 days post-injection; mice injected with EGFP-X01GB (without VEGF) did not. The mean survival after EGFP-VEGF-X01GB injection was 57 days; mice injected with EGFP-X01GB survived for a mean of 81 days (P=0.0005; hazard ratio (HR)=4.470 (95% CI, 3.505–84.81).1

Adapted from Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol 360, Oka N. et al, VEGF Promotes Tumorigenesis and Angiogenesis of Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells, Page 553-559, Copyright 2007, with permission from Elsevier.
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VEGF as a prognostic factor

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