VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)

A class of proteins that causes new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and maintains the natural "leakiness" inherent in vessels. These are normal body functions, which, if they happen where they shouldn't (such as in the retina), can cause disease, such as AMD.

VEGF is comprised of a class of proteins that cause new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), which are needed for normal body functions, like development, wound repair and the menstrual cycle. It is thought that abnormally high levels of VEGF (or its presence in places where it shouldn't be expressed) cause disease. Several anti-VEGF targeted treatments are being used for treatment of wet AMD (as well as several other diseases that have unwanted blood vessel growth, like colon cancer), including the drugs Macugen^® and Lucentis^®.