Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its vital catalytic role in promotion of invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen that specifically acts on glycosylated cells of endothelial cells, enhances vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, promotes the growth, invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The prognosis of patients with high expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is poor. Down-regulation of VEGF can significantly inhibit the malignant proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and improve patients′ prognosis. This article systematically reviewed the recent advances in VEGF expression and its role in promoting the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells as well as in VEGF-targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy for patients with HCC, aiming to provide some novel ideas to delay the disease progression in the patients. Key words: Vascular endothelial growth factor; Hepatocellular carcinoma cell; Angiogenesis; Invasion; Metastasis; Targeted therapy