The pathophysiologic role of VEGF in hematologic malignancies: therapeutic implications

• Published in: Blood Vol. 105; no. 4; pp. 1383 - 1395
• Main Authors: Podar, Klaus, Anderson, Kenneth C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.02.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Hematologic Neoplasms - blood; Hematologic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Hematologic Neoplasms - physiopathology; Humans; Neovascularization, Pathologic - blood; Neovascularization, Pathologic - drug therapy; Neovascularization, Pathologic - physiopathology; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - biosynthesis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - physiology
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2004-07-2909

Besides its role as an essential regulator of physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) triggers growth, survival, and migration of leukemia and multiple myeloma cells; plays a pivotal role in hematopoiesis; inhibits maturation of dendritic cells; and increases osteoclastic bone-resorbing activity as well as osteoclast chemotaxis. Dysregulation of VEGF expression and signaling pathways therefore plays an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical features of hematologic malignancies, in particular multiple myeloma. Direct and indirect targeting of VEGF and its receptors therefore may provide a potent novel therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to therapies and thereby improve patient outcome.