VEGF and VEGF Receptor-1 Concentration in Vestibular Schwannoma Homogenates Correlates to Tumor Growth Rate

Abstract

The concentration of VEGF and VEGFR-1 in VS homogenates correlates with tumor growth rate but not with tumor size or symptom duration. We conclude that VEGF and VEGFR-1 appear to be directly involved in the growth pattern of VS.

The VEGF/VEGF-R Axis in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannomas Correlates with Irradiation and Disease Recurrence

“…Moreover, VEGF has been reported to act as a survival factor for Schwann cells [10]. Accordingly, upregulated VEGF expression has been previously demonstrated in VS [5,7,24,25,26]. In our present study also, all samples expressed VEGF.…”

Recent developments in brain tumor predisposing syndromes

“…Molecular studies indicate that vestibular schwannomas are dependent on VEGFR signaling, and inhibitors targeting this pathway are currently being used in clinical trials [34]. Bevacizumab, an antibody used to inhibit VEGFR, has shown promising effects with significant tumor regression in more than 50% of the patients, and a majority of the patients experience improved hearing after one year of treatment [35,36].…”

Interplay between VEGF-A and cMET signaling in human vestibular schwannomas and schwann cells

“…Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), a prominent mitogenic and angiogenic factor, and its receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR1 correlate with VS growth rate. 2 Administration of bevacizumab, a humanized VEGF-A antibody, to patients with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-associated VS led to a volumetric decrease in 55% of the VSs. 3,4 As investigators continue to elucidate all of the factors that interact with VEGF-A, it is important to explore the potential of VEGF-A to regulate and be regulated by other molecules that could be driving VS growth, providing us with new therapeutic targets and the ability to overcome potential drug resistance inevitable with monotherapies.…”