Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones. It's a normal part of wound healing — when tissue is damaged, the body grows new capillaries to supply the repair zone with oxygen and nutrients. In the research peptide context, angiogenesis appears most in discussions of BPC-157 and TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4), both of which appear to promote it in animal models. That's the proposed mechanism for their tissue-repair effects: more vascularity in the repair zone, faster healing. The problem is that angiogenesis is also how tumours sustain themselves. A tumour that can't recruit new blood supply stays small and eventually dies. One that can grow new vasculature grows. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) drives angiogenesis in both healing tissue and tumour microenvironments. This is why the cancer-risk question for BPC-157 is live rather than settled. No study has shown it promotes tumour growth in animals. Jozwiak et al. (2024) argue the absence of proof is not proof of absence — a fair point given the absence of human safety data. The Sikirić lab disputes the concern. The science hasn't resolved it.