Identification of the angiogenic gene signature induced by EGF and hypoxia in colorectal cancer.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterised by hypoxia, which activates gene transcription through hypoxia-inducible factors(HIF), as well as by expression of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and EGF receptors, targeting of which has been demonstrated to provide therapeutic benefit in CRC. Although EGF has been demonstrated to induce expression of angiogenic mediators, potential interactions in CRC between EGF-mediated signalling and the hypoxia/HIF pathway remain uncharacterised.