FGF and VEGF function in angiogenesis: signalling pathways, biological responses and therapeutic inhibition

Angiogenic growth factors such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and vasc ular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are currently targets of intense ef forts to inhibit deregulated blood vessel formation in diseases such as can cer. FGFs and VEGFs exert their effects via specific binding to cell surfac e-expressed receptors equipped with tyrosine kinase activity, Activation of the receptor kinase activity allows coupling to downstream signal transduc tion pathways that regulate proliferation, migration and differentiation of endothelial cells. Inhibitors of For and VEGF signalling are currently in clinical trials. In this article, the current knowledge of FGF- and VEGF-in duced signal transduction that leads to specific biological responses will be summarized. Furthermore, the manner in which this knowledge is being exp loited to regulate angiogenesis will be discussed.