EGFL7在乳腺癌中的研究进展

表皮生长因子样结构域7是表皮生长因子样蛋白家族的成员，是一种极为关键的血管生成因子和血管发育调节因子，在不同类型细胞中均有表达。EGFL7在早期胚胎的血管中表达较高，主要调节发育过程中的血管生成，促进内皮细胞增殖，形成有功能的血管网，促进组织增长和再生。与其在胚胎期较强的表达相比，在成人体内的表达量微乎其微，异常高表达的EGFL7常在多种恶性肿瘤中出现。目前越来越多的证据表明，EGFL7可调节肿瘤血管生成、促进肿瘤转移和侵袭。肿瘤组织中EGFL7高表达常常提示肿瘤生长和转移较为活跃及不良的预后。近年来，一系列研究表明，EGFL7的表达与乳腺癌的发生发展、转移过程密不可分，且在提示预后方面发挥着关键作用。本文就EGFL7在乳腺癌中的研究进展作一综述，为临床诊断及治疗提供新思路。

Research Progress of EGFL7 in Breast Cancer

Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 is a member of the epidermal growth factor-like protein family and is a critical angiogenic factor and vascular developmental regulator that is expressed in different cell types. EGFL7 is highly expressed in the blood vessels of early embryos, mainly regulating angiogenesis during development, promoting endothelial cell proliferation, forming a functional vascular network, and promoting tissue growth and regeneration. Compared with its strong expression in the embryonic stage, the expression level in adults is negligible, and abnormally high expression of EGFL7 is often found in many malignant tumors. There is increasing evidence that EGFL7 regulates tumor angiogenesis, promotes tumor metastasis and invasion. High expression of EGFL7 in tumor tissues often indicates a more active and poor prognosis of tumor growth and metastasis. In recent years, a series of studies have shown that the expression of EGFL7 is inseparable from the occurrence and development of breast cancer, and plays a key role in prognosis. This article reviews the research progress of EGFL7 in breast cancer, and provides new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.