Charles Explorer logo
🇬🇧

Antiangiogenic therapy for ovarian cancer

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2013

Abstract

Epithelial tumours of the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum (epithelial ovarian cancer – EOC) manifest similar behavioral characteristics. An important condition for their development is the provision of blood supply through the tumour bloodstream.

The main growth factor controlling the tumour angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Angiogenesis plays an essential role within the normal ovarian physiology, pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), progression of tumour mass and arising of ascites also in metastatic dispersal.

VEGF and its receptor VEGFR are expressed in the EOC cells and their concentration increases within the development of the malign ascites. This is the reason why VEGF and its receptor should be considered as the potential treatment targets in relation to the EOC [1].