angiogenesis
(an-jee-oh-JEN-eh-sis)
The formation of new blood vessels that cancer cells need in order to grow. “Angio” means blood vessel and “genesis” means beginning.
Cancer cells can make a protein, called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), to stimulate angiogenesis. Avastin (chemical name: bevacizumab) is a targeted therapy medication that blocks VEGF. By blocking VEGF, Avastin can interfere with the growth of new blood vessels into breast cancer tissue and starve the cancer.
Audio contributed by: Courteney Cox