Final Report Summary - TX-FACTORS (NEW BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OFVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTORS)
Our research results explore translational possibilities of mechanistic studies of cancer and cardiovascular diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Current cardiovascular and cancer therapies are often insufficient, unsuccessful or not suitable for all patients, thus novel therapies are urgently needed. Inhibition of angiogenesis is already used in the clinics, but with limited success. On the other hand, stimulation of the growth of blood vessels, angiogenesis, and of arteriogenesis, the growth of (collateral) arteries, has been unsuccessfully tried for the treatment of tissue ischemia. We have revealed new disease-related functions of endothelial growth factors and their signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease and established preclinical models of effective therapy based on new knowledge of the biology of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietins (Ang), angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Our greatest finding at the end of the funding period was the discovery of lymphatic vessels surrounding the central nervous system (CNS). We have made novel discoveries on the mechanisms and crosstalk between endothelial growth factor pathways. Our results should provide the possibility of exploring novel treatments for cardiovascular, neurological and ophthalmological diseases and cancer.