Definition

A human monoclonal antibody directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2; VEGFR2), with potential anti-angiogenesis and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, anti-VEGFR-2 monoclonal antibody AK109 specifically binds to and inhibits VEGFR-2 on vascular endothelial cells, which may inhibit tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. VEGFR-2, a tyrosine-protein kinase that plays an essential role in angiogenesis and the proliferation, survival, migration and differentiation of endothelial cells, is overexpressed in certain tumor types.