Fig. 4.

Notch signaling pathway in tumor angiogenesis. Abnormal angiogenesis, a distinctive feature of the tumor microenvironment, provides essential nutrients for tumor growth and facilitates the entry of malignant cells into circulation, leading to distant metastases. The Notch signaling cascade plays a crucial role in mediating tumor angiogenesis. (Figure created using BioRender.com). VEGFR vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor, MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinase, DLL4 delta-like ligand 4, ADAM a disintegrin and metalloprotease, VEGFA vascular endothelial growth factor A, JAG1 Jagged1, NRP1 neuropilin 1, NRARP Notch-regulated ankyrin repeat protein, FMOD fibromodulin