Anti-vegf
Anti-VEGF (pronounced: an-tee-vee-ee-gee-ef) is a term used in the medical field, specifically in Ophthalmology and Oncology. The term stands for Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.
Etymology
The term Anti-VEGF is derived from the English language. "Anti-" is a prefix meaning against, while "Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor" (VEGF) is a protein that stimulates the growth of blood vessels. Therefore, Anti-VEGF refers to substances that inhibit or reduce the action of VEGF.
Related Terms
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): A protein produced by cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels.
- Angiogenesis: The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels.
- Macular Degeneration: A medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field.
- Cancer: A group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
Usage
Anti-VEGF drugs are used to treat certain eye diseases such as Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Retinal Vein Occlusion. They work by blocking the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye that can leak and cause vision loss.
In Oncology, Anti-VEGF therapy is used to prevent the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors. By blocking the action of VEGF, these drugs can starve the tumor of the nutrients it needs to grow.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.