Vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF) is a sub-family of growth factors, more specifically of platelet-derived
growth factor family of cystine-knot growth factors. They are important
signaling proteins involved in both vasculogenesis (the formation of the
embryonic circulatory system) and angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels from
pre-existing vasculature). In certain cancers, high VEGF expression has been
correlated with shorter survival and this provides a valuable prognostic
marker.