Targeting VEGF signaling for tumor microenvironment remodeling and metastasis inhibition: Therapeutic strategies and insights.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic concepts and existing therapies without systematic review methodology
PubMed 40164047 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118023
What was done
This review examined the molecular mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion within the tumor microenvironment. It synthesized current evidence on FDA-approved anti-VEGF treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies (including bevacizumab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, alongside strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings or statistical metrics. It describes qualitative mechanisms showing that VEGF drives abnormal vascularization, immunosuppression, and metastasis via epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also discusses strategies to circumvent therapeutic resistance, including novel VEGF inhibitors, vascular normalization, and combination approaches with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Why it matters
The review provides a conceptual overview of how targeting VEGF signaling can remodel the tumor microenvironment and highlights combination strategies to overcome resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy.
Limits
The abstract describes a broad narrative review that presents no new experimental or clinical data. No systematic search criteria, quality appraisal of cited literature, or quantitative comparisons across cancer types are reported.
Cited by
- supports Cancer utilizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to establish blood supply and facilitate metastasis from primary tumors.