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Notch signalling is a key pathway controlling angiogenesis in normal tissues and tumours. This has become a major focus of development of anticancer therapy, but to develop this appropriately, we need further understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of Dll4 (Delta-like ligand 4), a key endothelial Notch ligand. Dll4 and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) cross-talk, with VEGF up-regulation of Dll4 and Dll4 down-regulating VEGFR (VEGF receptor) signalling. Both are essential for normal angiogenesis, and blockade of one may produce compensatory changes in the other. The present review considers recent developments in the regulation of Dll4 expression and functions, its role as a mechanism of resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy, and methods needed to develop effective therapy against this target.

Original publication

DOI

10.1042/BST20110721

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochem Soc Trans

Publication Date

12/2011

Volume

39

Pages

1612 - 1618

Keywords

Animals, Biomarkers, Tumor, Humans, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Membrane Proteins, Neoplasms, Neovascularization, Pathologic, Receptors, Notch, Signal Transduction