Abstract
Angiogenesis represents an essential step in tumour proliferation, expansion, and metastasis. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to be a well-vascularized tumour.
The angiogenic response, also known as the 'angiogenic switch', is initiated when the balance between the positive and the negative regulators of angiogenesis is disrupted in favor of the proangiogenic factors. The role of inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor gene in the regulation of proangiogenic factors and the angiogenic agents tested in the treatment of RCC is described.