The contribution of proangiogenic factors to the progression of malignant disease: role of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a major inducer of angiogenesis and a vascular permeability inducing factor. Its expression is upregulated in many types of tumors and it is thought to be a major inducer of tumor angiogenesis. This article focuses on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor progression and on current efforts aimed at the inhibition of tumor progression through the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor activity.