Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A, its receptors VEGFR-1,-2, and-3 and co-receptors neuropilin-1 and-2 does not predict bevacizumab response in human astrocytomas

摘要

A major hallmark of malignant progression in human astrocytomas is the formation of new blood vessels. Antiangiogenic therapy using the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-antibody bevacizumab leads to increased progression-free survival in glioblastoma patients but does not influence their overall survival. To date, it is unclear why antiangiogenic therapy fails in many glioblastoma patients, while a small subpopulation profits considerably from this treatment.