The role of a novel inhibitory isoform of VEGF in ocular melanoma
Prof. Sarah Coupland
Prof. Bertil Damato
Dr Helen Kalirai
Dr Sarah Lake
Mr Andrew Dodson
Dr Martina Angi
Collaborators:
Dr Rowan Pritchard-Jones
Dr Maxine Emmett
Summary
The growth of new blood vessels from existing ones is known as angiogenesis. It is this process that is not only essential for cancer cell survival and growth of the tumour, but it also helps the cancer cells move into the bloodstream and spread to distant organs. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is known to be the most potent stimulator of blood vessel formation, however, recent studies have shown that different forms of this factor exist that can also prevent blood vessel formation. The aim of this study is to understand how these different forms of the VEGF may be involved in the growth and spread of uveal melanoma cells.
Prof. Bertil Damato
Dr Helen Kalirai
Dr Sarah Lake
Mr Andrew Dodson
Dr Martina Angi
Collaborators:
Dr Rowan Pritchard-Jones
Dr Maxine Emmett
Summary
The growth of new blood vessels from existing ones is known as angiogenesis. It is this process that is not only essential for cancer cell survival and growth of the tumour, but it also helps the cancer cells move into the bloodstream and spread to distant organs. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is known to be the most potent stimulator of blood vessel formation, however, recent studies have shown that different forms of this factor exist that can also prevent blood vessel formation. The aim of this study is to understand how these different forms of the VEGF may be involved in the growth and spread of uveal melanoma cells.