Growth Factors

Growth factors play multiple critical roles in cancer development and progression by stimulating cancer-relevant processes including the cell growth, proliferation, survival, and migration. They can be secreted by cancer cells themselves or by surrounding cells within the tumour microenvironment. There are numerous examples of their roles within normal physiology and development as they generally control signalling pathways involved in these processes. In cancer their roles are also various. For example, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen (inducer of cell proliferation) that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells. EGF generally stimulates cancer cell proliferation, however, it also has important roles in angiogenesis and invasion. EGF also stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells within the tumour microenvironment and promotes the migration of endothelial cells, enabling them to move towards the site where new blood vessels need to be formed, and influences the organization of endothelial cells into tubular structures, which are the basis for the formation of functional blood vessels. The growth factors acting more proximally on endothelial cells involved in tumour angiogenesis are the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family. The VEGF family consists of several members, including VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and placental growth factor (PlGF), each of which has specific functions in angiogenesis. The VEGF family orchestrate a complex set of cellular events promoting blood vessel formation. These include endothelial cell activation, proliferation, migration, sprouting, pericyte recruitment, vessel maturation and modulation of vessel permeability. These processes collectively contribute to the formation of new functional blood vessels that are crucial for tumour growth. A third major family of growth factors involved in cancer growth are the PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factors) growth factors which can be produced within the tumour microenvironment by various cell types, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), and endothelial cells. Four PDGFs are known, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-AB and PDGF-CC with each PDGF isoform binding to specific receptors on the cell surface, leading to various cellular responses. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) and Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) are two additional growth factors implicated in cancer development. TGF-β is thought to have dual roles in cancer. In early stages, it acts as a tumour suppressor inhibiting cell proliferation. However, in advanced stages, it can promote tumour progression by enhancing angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs) are like insulin and play an important role in cancer cell survival. They activate the IGF receptor on cancer cells, promoting their proliferation and, possibly more importantly, act as survival factors inhibiting apoptosis via activation of PI3K signalling. Three other types of growth factors have important roles in cancer development, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs). HGF (also known as scatter factor) binds to the c-Met receptor and stimulates cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. It also has a role in angiogenesis and can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells, facilitating their invasive properties. FGFs are a family of growth factors involved in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. In cancer, FGFs are known to promote tumour growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. Finally, Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs) are growth factors that stimulate the production and maturation of various blood cell types, including white blood cells. In cancer, elevated levels of CSFs can contribute to tumour growth, invasion, and metastasis by recruiting immune cells to the tumour microenvironment. We provide a large product range of research reagents for investigating growth factors, including ErbB 2 antibodies, TNF alpha antibodies, Chromogranin A antibodies, TNF alpha ELISA Kits, and IGF1 ELISA Kits. Explore our full growth factors product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our TNF, EGF, and FGF product ranges.