Alternative Name(s): Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, VPF
Test Description
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family plays a role in angiogenesis, the formation of endothelia. It consists of 5 members (VEGFA, VEGFB, VEGFC, VEGFD, and placenta growth factor), 3 receptor protein tyrosine kinases (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3), and 2 non-enzymatic receptors (neuropilin1, and neuropilin-2). VEGFA binds with VEGFR1 to maintain survival of endothelial cells and binds with VEGFR2 to promote development of new vasculature in developing organs. Therefore, VEGFA may be an important target for the development of new oncology therapeutics.