[Frontiers in Bioscience 11, 2336-2348, September 1, 2006]

Angiogenic switch in Barrett's adenocarcinoma: the role of vascular endothelial growth factor

Aminul Islam 1, Swarnali Banerjee 2, Suman Kambhampati 2, Joaquina Baranda 2, Snigdha Banerjee 2, Allan P. Weston 3, Neela K. Saxena 2 and Sushanta K. Banerjee 2

1Department of Zoology, K.C. College, Hetampur, Birbhum, West Bengal, India, 2Cancer Research Unit, VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO and Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 3,St John's Clinic, Gastroenterology, Springfield, MO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Angiogenesis in esophageal malignancy and VEGF
4. Role of angiogenic factor
5. VEGF splice variants
6. VEGF receptors and their multiphasic roles in inducing angiogenesis
7. Mode of action of VEGF
8. Antiangiogenic therapy and future direction
9. Acknowledgment
10. References

1. ABSTRACT

The development of cancerous cells from the normal cells is the consequence of multiple genetic and epigenetic abuses. Activation of "Angiogenic switch" or formation of new blood vessels is one of the upshots of these abuses. Multiple factors are associated with the activation of angiogenic switch. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its down stream signaling molecules is important troupe of this event. In this article, we reviewed the role this troupe in the development of Barrett's adenocarcinoma and also discussed the possible remedies, which have the impact on blocking the function of this troupe.