---
title: "Angiogenesis"
url: "https://worldwiki.io/entity/angiogenesis"
type: "concept"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-11-12 05:20:00"
independence_score: "100.00"
independent_mentions: "0"
authority_mentions: "0"
---

# Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels; in fat grafting it determines whether transferred fat gains a blood supply and survives.

## Key facts

- **Distinguished from**: Vasculogenesis: new vessels formed from angioblasts during embryonic development, not grown from existing vessels [2]
- **Main types**: Sprouting angiogenesis and intussusceptive (splitting) angiogenesis [2]
- **Key regulator**: VEGF-A is the main factor that triggers sprouting when tissue lacks oxygen; Delta-Notch signalling determines which cells become tip cells and which become stalk cells [2]
- **Seminal publication**: Folkman J. Tumor angiogenesis: therapeutic implications. N Engl J Med 1971;285(21):1182–1186 [3]
- **First US-approved angiogenesis inhibitor**: Bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, approved by the FDA for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer [4]
- **Eye disease link**: In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and damage the macula; it is treated with anti-VEGF injections [5]
- **Therapeutic directions**: Stimulating angiogenesis is studied for ischemic heart disease and wound healing; inhibiting it is used in cancer and eye disease [2]
- **Evidence in cell-assisted fat grafting**: Meta-analysis of 15 studies (634 patients): cell-enriched grafts had higher retention, but results varied extremely between studies (I² = 97%) and breast grafts showed no significant benefit [6]
- **Evidence for the angiogenesis mechanism in grafts**: Histology did not show higher vessel density in enriched grafts; the authors suggest the benefit may come from signalling molecules released by the cells (a paracrine effect) [6]
- **Growth of research literature**: About 2 manuscripts in 1970; more than 5,200 articles in 2009 [2]
- **Definition (NCI)**: Blood vessel formation [1]

## Overview

Angiogenesis (Korean: 혈관신생) is the growth of new blood vessels, mainly capillaries, from vessels that already exist. It is different from vasculogenesis, which is the formation of new vessels from angioblast precursor cells in the embryo. There are two main types. In sprouting angiogenesis, endothelial tip cells grow toward signals such as VEGF-A. In intussusceptive (splitting) angiogenesis, an existing vessel divides in two. Angiogenesis takes place from fetal development through adult life, including in wound healing. It also feeds tumour growth and causes the abnormal vessels of wet age-related macular degeneration. Drugs that block VEGF, such as bevacizumab, are approved to inhibit it. In cell-assisted fat grafting, stromal cells are thought to support blood vessel growth in the graft. Clinical results vary widely between studies, and this mechanism has not been confirmed. Readers should check each study's design, graft site and follow-up time.

## Related entities

- related to → [Stem Cell Fat Grafting](https://worldwiki.io/entity/stem-cell-fat-grafting)
- related to → [SVF-assisted Fat Grafting](https://worldwiki.io/entity/svf-assisted-fat-grafting)
- related to → [Fat Graft Survival](https://worldwiki.io/entity/fat-graft-survival)

## Related questions

- [What is the difference between angiogenesis and vasculogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-the-difference-between-angiogenesis-and-vasculogenesis) — Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels from vessels that already exist, driven mainly by the endothelial cells that line them. It continues throughout life. Vasculogenesis is how the embryo f
- [Why do tumors need angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/why-do-tumors-need-angiogenesis) — Solid tumors need their own blood supply to grow larger than a few millimeters. They release chemical signals, or prompt nearby cells to release them, which cause new vessels to grow toward the tumor.
- [What is VEGF and what does it do in angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-vegf-and-what-does-it-do-in-angiogenesis) — Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signaling protein. Its main form, VEGF-A, is the principal signal that switches angiogenesis on. Cells that are short of oxygen release it, and it draws 
- [Do stem cells improve fat graft survival through angiogenesis?](https://worldwiki.io/q/do-stem-cells-improve-fat-graft-survival-through-angiogenesis) — This is a hypothesis, not a proven mechanism. Researchers behind cell-assisted lipotransfer proposed that adipose-derived stromal cells may help new vessels grow into the graft. They might do this by 
- [What are the side effects of angiogenesis inhibitors?](https://worldwiki.io/q/what-are-the-side-effects-of-angiogenesis-inhibitors) — NCI lists these common side effects of angiogenesis inhibitors: bleeding, clots in the arteries, high blood pressure, slow wound healing and protein in the urine. Drugs that target VEGF receptors can 

## References

Independent 6/6

1. [NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: angiogenesis](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/angiogenesis) — National Cancer Institute (NCI) · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/10
2. [Overview of Angiogenesis (in: Adair TH, Montani JP. Angiogenesis)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53238/) — Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences / NCBI Bookshelf · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/147
3. [Tumor Angiogenesis (editorial), Dudek AZ, Gupta K, Ramakrishnan S, Mukhopadhyay D. Journal of Oncology](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2945670/) — Journal of Oncology (Hindawi) · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/149
4. [FDA Approves First Angiogenesis Inhibitor To Treat Colorectal Cancer](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/02/040227071334.htm) — ScienceDaily (reprinting U.S. Food and Drug Administration release) · evidence level D · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/253
5. [Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration) — National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health · evidence level A · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/254
6. [Clinical Efficacy of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Enriched Lipotransfer Versus Conventional Fat Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13090857/) — Cureus, via PubMed Central · evidence level B · independent · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/255