Title:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors [VEGFR] as Target in
Breast Cancer Treatment: Current Status in Preclinical and Clinical
Studies and Future Directions
Volume: 22
Issue: 11
Author(s): Mohammad Malekan and Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Keywords:
Breast cancer, Angiogenesis, VEGFR inhibitors, Targeted therapy, Clinical trials, Preclinical studies
Abstract: Breast cancer [BC] is one of the most common cancers among women, one of the leading
causes of a considerable number of cancer-related death globally. Among all procedures leading to
the formation of breast tumors, angiogenesis has an important role in cancer progression and outcomes.
Therefore, various anti-angiogenic strategies have been developed so far to enhance treatment's
efficacy in different types of BC. Vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGFs] and their receptors
are regarded as the most well-known regulators of neovascularization. VEGF binding to vascular
endothelial growth factor receptors [VEGFRs] provides cell proliferation and vascular tissue
formation by the subsequent tyrosine kinase pathway. VEGF/VEGFR axis displays an attractive target
for anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer drug design. This review aims to describe the existing literature
regarding VEGFR inhibitors, focusing on BC treatment reported in the last two decades.