Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was discovered in 1998 by Napoleone Ferrara et al. Working for Genetech, he invented avastin and was able to show that it impeded the growth of human tumors transplanted onto mice.
Avastin is a monoclonal antibody that binds to VEGF.
SU5416 is a drug that inhibits the receptor through which VEGF exerts its effects.
Tumor cells secrete VEGF in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF).